TRIBUTES for loved ones who have died will be included in the East Beach opening ceremony next month, in a special community memoriam.

Co-organiser of the event, Josephine Melville, said she would like people to get in touch if they would like to see their lost loved one included in the remembrance addition to the festival.

She added: "The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday August 13 at noon, and as part of it we would like to include photographs and a few words about loved ones who have passed, which will be shown on video screens.

"The festival is about everyone coming together and everyone celebrating together, and we want to also include and celebrate the lives of those who are sadly no longer with us.

"It will take place as part of the opening ceremony, along with the ribbon cutting."

People who would like to include their loved one should send a photo of the deceased, with a maximum of ten words, which should include their name, birth and death date, to events@eastbeachfestival.uk

Kevin Watson from Westcliff who died in February this year, is one of the people whose life will be remembered as part of the on screen memoriam.

Ms Melville said: "Kevin was a policeman in Jamaica and then when he moved to Westcliff he started working with young people to make a difference to disadvantaged teenagers' lives.
"He is someone whose life we will be celebrating."

The East Beach Festival is being held on Saturday and Sunday August 13 - August 14, on East Beach on Shoeburyness, from 10.30am until 9pm.

The free family-friendly outdoor multicultural event has been launched to celebrate one year of Southend becoming a city, combined with 60 years of Jamaican independence.

Live music, performing artists, DJs, Jamaican and jerk cuisine plus a variety of stalls and a marketplace will be included.

The festival promises to "encapsulate the diverse spirit of the City of Southend".

Included in the line up will be performers Omar, Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson, Paulette Tajah and the Legends Band.

Celebrity hosts will include actor Charles Venn (from Casualty) and actress and recording artist Lorna Gayle (aka Lorna G).

Ms Melville added: "This event is about community.

"I would like to add that Southend Council has been supportive and positive.

"They have really come on board to make this event happen."

For more information and the schedule, visit eastbeachfestival.uk