MORE than 30,000 people have already snapped up wristbands for this weekend’s Village Green music and arts festival.

Arts charity Metal, which is organising the the festival in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff, on Saturday, July 13, is releasing another 3,000 wristbands today to meet demand.

Organisers have revealed the public will need a wristband to get into the park, which could involve big queues for those trying to get wristbands on the gate on the day.

The music and arts festival features a huge line-up of live music including Southend starr Sam Duckworth, of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, who has just performed at Glastonbury. There is also cabaret, spoken word, comedy, street theatre, arts and crafts and family entertainment.

Metal chief executive Colette Bailey said: “We have spread the acts right across the park so that we don’t have too many people in one area. It’s really exciting.

This year is the fifth year we have run it and the team is now really experienced. It is a massive event that is maturing and becoming bigger and better and more popular each year.”

The free festival has grown in popularity each year so in order to get an idea of expected visitors this year, organisers asked people to register for wristbands.

So far 30,000 are registered and another 3,000 wristbands are set to be released today and can be picked up from a number of venues.Visitors are being asked to donate £3 to help ensure Village Green it stays free next year,by texting VGFR33 £3 TO 70070.

The event runs from 11am to 9pm. Organisers are asking anyone who has a wristband and thinks they don’t need it to return it.