A WEEKEND has been devoted to the macabre and the horrific as Southend’s Horror-on- Sea Film Festival returns.

The White Bus film company is hosting the event with the Palace Hotel, from January 17 to 19.

It will provide nerve shredding blood and gore, monsters on the loose as well as something eerie and creepy.

There are 18 films, with supporting shorts, over the three days of mayhem.

Films include KillerKiller: The Special Edition, directed by Pat Higgins, the Haunting of Harry Payne, by Martyn Pick, and Molly Crows, by Ray Wilkes.

On Sunday there will be a special workshop by director Pat Higgins, who was behind Hellbride and Bordello Death Tales.

The two-hour workshop, Fake Blood and Real Guts! Writing and Filming Your Horror Classic, starts at 3pm.

Paul Cotgrove, festival director, said: “We launched Horroron- Sea 2014 on November 2 during our annual Zombie Walk along Southend’s iconic pier.

“What a day that was, with more than 200 assorted zombies and other creatures of the night braving the daylight to stagger down the world’s longest pleasure pier.

“The overall standard continues to amaze me, and it’s been a pleasurable, though very difficult job sorting out the final line-up.

“This is now complete and I hope people will like what they see.”

Films will be shown from 10am each day, with the last showing at 10.30pm.

Tickets for individual films are £5, day passes are £20 and weekend passes are £50.

The full programme, including Pat Higgins’ Masterclass and tickets, are available from www.horror-on-sea.com by calling 01702 618747 or from the visitor information centre at Southend Pier.