A frightfully fun evening is in store as the route for the second annual Southend Halloween Parade this weekend has been revealed.

The parade returns to the seafront on Saturday, October 29, from 6pm to 7.30pm, with a host of acts.

More than 50 community acts have signed up for the parade along with the return of crowd favourites, the Spark! drummers.

Also taking part are Rampage, the Southend Ghostbusters and the giant puppets of Tim Davies Design including the world’s first giant spider puppet - the Arachnobot.

Artist Dave Taylor will also resurrect last year’s giant witch puppet as well as showcase a brand-new corpse bride.

The parade is organised by Southend City Council in association with the Southend Tourism Partnership.

Echo:

Jacqui Dallimore, chair of Southend Tourism Partnership, said: "The Southend Tourism Partnership are delighted to see the return of the Halloween Parade this Saturday, as last year’s event was hugely popular with both residents and visitors.

"We’re looking forward to showcasing the community’s artistic flare with amazing professional looking entries."

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture and tourism, said: "I am delighted that the Southend Halloween Parade has become a permanent fixture on the Southend city calendar, and we want it to be bigger and better each year.

"Involvement from local businesses and community groups will bring us together and put the parade on the map and is vital for our economic recovery.

"We are aiming to attract visitors from far and wide to hopefully arrive early to enjoy everything Southend has to offer before they experience a magical evening of spookiness and an amazing Halloween parade.

"But please do plan your journey ahead especially if travelling on the C2C train line as major works are being carried out this weekend. For those driving, parking is free after 6pm."

Full details about the Halloween Parade, including the route map and where to park (free parking from 6pm) can be found at southendhalloween.org.