THE East Beach Caribbean festival has been cancelled after organisers were forced to return home to help their families deal with the impact of a hurricane.

Organisers have confirmed they have made the “devastating” decision to cancel the popular festival, planned for August 17 and 18, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

The category five Atlantic hurricane storm has killed dozens in its path and caused unprecedented destruction across the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Launched in 2022, the family-friendly festival has become an annual event and plays host to a range of top DJs and artists.

Peter Lovett, chair of the Shoebury Residents Association, says he hopes the festival can still take place this year.

He said: “The organisers have family in the Caribbean and had to return there to help them after the hurricane.

“The main organiser has been there for two or three weeks and only returned to the country recently. He has told us that he will not have time to organise the event after all that’s happened.”

Organisers work closely with the residents association. Mr Lovett said members are “devastated” it won’t go ahead after proving a hit over the last two years.

“A lot of our members are quite devastated. We have more than 10,000 members and about 98 per cent of us were in favour of having the festival this year,” he said.

“The atmosphere at last year’s event was electric. It creates such a nice family friendly, multi-cultural event. It is definitely a disappointment.

“It will definitely return next year, I believe. It could even take place at a later date this year but I am waiting for an update from the organiser.”

Hundreds of people flocked to the beach last year to enjoy the electrifying performances, mouth-watering Jerk cuisine alongside a fun fair too.

The first event was organised by beloved actress and fierce champion of the arts scene Josephine Melville, who tragically passed away backstage after performing in a play in late 2022.