THE Deep South Essex sound of the Flavours shot a large smile across the faces of a charity fundraising crowd lassoed in aid of the Depression Alliance.

Tying up outside the Ship pub, Leigh, on Sunday, the eccentric quartet played a tribute show for Luke Hubbard, from the town, who passed away last year, aged just 30.

The Flavours, from Benfleet, Heybridge and Pitsea, made sure a large crowd were in good spirits, thanks to their wacky brand of country music and lively banter. The “O Brother, Where Art Thou? meets Benny Hill” description from the announcer couldn’t have been more spot on!

The Soggy Bottom Boys, of Coen brothers film fame, had escaped from a chain gang, but these jolly ranchers were more One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, making the most of a restraint-free afternoon to keep a gobsmacked gathering truly entertained.

Playing everything from a ukulele, to a washboard and banjo, the Flavours galloped through an uplifting rodeo of tunes.

From the raising and dropping drawl of Cowboy Blues, to a curiously titled Fish Called Elvis, a chaotic Dueling Banjos and the grand finale, a cover of Stan Ridgway’s Eighties hit Camouflage, even curious spectators on the rail bridge opposite the pub offered a round of applause.

The gig raised more than £700, edging the family’s charity total towards £12,000 this year.

For more information, visit www.theflavours.co.uk