THIS Sunday brace any winds and get down to the end of Southend Pier, to enjoy the fabulous free Folk & Ale Festival.

Featuring an abundance of folk acts - traditional and contemporary - Cajun, shanty and "everything in between", plus of course some great ales on offer, the festival is held inside Royal Pavilion meaning you'll be able to keep warm and dry whatever the weather.

The event is being held to support the forthcoming Leigh Folk Festival, the largest free festival in the UK, which takes place in Leigh from June 23 - June 26.

The line up includes The Famous Potatoes, Barbershop Boys, Hoy Shanty Crew, Grand Reunion, Revival, Chris Robson, Silbury Hill, Mudlarks, Arthur Doo and the Toe Rags, Angel and the Melodyhorns "and many more".

Wendy Solomon, front woman for Angel and the Melodyhorns who are on at 3:30pm, said: "We can't wait to play this event with all these other great acts. We're happy to be helping support the Leigh Folk Festival - we're so lucky to have all this on our doorsteps so I urge anyone who can make it down to do so, have a great time and help keep the Southend music scene alive."

Admission to the event is free, although you will have to pay pier charges to get to the Royal Pavilion.

They are £4.50 for a return adult pier train ticket or £2.50 for a child or senior citizen return pier ticket, or if you're up for a bracing walk £2 for adults or £1 for children.

The fun all kicks off from noon until 7pm.