THE first major outdoor ukulele festival to be held in this country is coming to Billericay next summer.

Uke Fest, featuring the internationally acclaimed Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain as headline act, takes place at Barleylands Farm on Saturday, July 23.

Details of the 5,000-capacity festival are being finalised after organiser U Fest Ltd was granted a licence by Basildon Council.

As well as professional acts on the main bill, amateur society bands will perform.

Visitors are being invited to bring their instruments along for special workshops.

Organiser Julia Rich said: “We are thrilled that the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will be joining us for our inaugural event.

“These incredibly talented musicians have played Sydney Opera House, The Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury – and now Billericay!”

Inspiration for the festival came from the successful Rainbow Music lessons and tuition, which regularly take place at Barleylands.

Confirmation of the ukulele event comes just weeks after another proposed festival at Barleylands was scrapped after organisers withdrew a licensing application.

The Party On Festival would have seen up to 20,000 people a day visiting the site over the May Day weekend, with performers including Sister Sledge.

A licensing application was withdrawn after police and council officers raised concerns about event safety plans.

For more details about Uke Fest, including ticket information, visit ukefest-essex.co.uk