SHOULD you encounter something weird and wonderful while you’re browsing through Southend town centre next week, don’t be alarmed.

Artside is back and there will be installations and performance pieces in various venues around the town until July 16.

Launching last year to great success, the scheme sees artists teaming up with businesses to create site-specific works of art designed to surprise, delight and make people who stumble across them think.

This year sees more businesses taking part, inspired by the success of last year’s event. New recruits include Adventure Island, the Victoria Plaza and Mr Simm’s Sweet Shoppe.

“At the last count we had nearly 50 artists,” says organiser Emma Emmerton. “Which is obviously quite a feat of organisation.

“It’s great we’ve got venues who’ve returned from last year and haven’t been scared off.

“I’m looking forward to all of them for different reasons, but I’m looking forward to some of the unusual ones.

“Adventure Island and the Park Inn Palace Hotel both have interesting things going on and I’m really looking forward to that.”