THE world's largest beer festival is coming back to Southend in 2019.

Oktoberfest will return for one day only on Saturday, October 19, at Priory park, in Victoria Avenue.

There will be both an afternoon and an evening session.

Tickets are not yet available but it is possible to register an interest.

As per the previous two years, customers can choose from three areas; unreserved standing, unreserved seating or reserved VIP seating for up to ten guests.

Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Sace-Hildburghausen.

The royal newlyweds deemed the party so great that they wanted to repeat it every year and so Oktoberfest has been celebrated in Munich every autumn since then.

During the event, large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed.

During the 16-day festival in 2013, for example, 7.7 million litres were served.

A huge bier tent will be put up in the park and there will be a variety of traditional beer on offer.