ITALIAN blues, Vaudeville and ragtime band, the Red Wine Serenaders, will be kicking off their 10 date UK tour tomorrow - Thursday May 19 - with a visit to what they say is one of their favourite pubs.

It's the fifth year they will have played at the Railway Hotel, in Clifftown Road, Southend.

This year just two of the outfit - Max de Bernardi and Veronica Sbergia - will be appearing.

Veronica, from Milan, said: "We love the Railway Hotel, it has real character and just feels right for the music we play".

More information can be found at redwineserenaders.it or Facebook