INDIE rocker Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly has thrown his weight behind the annual Southend Festival by becoming its patron.

Sam Duckworth, 22, decided to front the musical extravaganza, held by South East Essex College in Southend every June.

The Southend-born star, who wrote hit album Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager, said he was happy to promote local talent.

This will be showcased in gigs, theatrical performances, film screenings, comedy and exhibitions from Southend Theatres, Leigh Arts Trail, Leigh Film Society and Leigh Folk Festival.

He said: "I think Southend gets a kicking. It gets a bad reputation of being somewhere that doesn't really have a great arts scene and yet there are a lot of talented musicians and talented young artists.

"I just wanted to lend my name and help out motivate artists to not feel so isolated in being from Southend. It's a unique place and this is a unique opportunity to celebrate the talents, the arts and media and culture in Southend."

Sam will perform on June 24, at Chinnery's, in Southend, as part of the festival.

Marco Scarola, head of marketing for South East Essex College, said: "It is a fantastic coup that we have got someone as talented and passionate as Sam as this year's patron.

"It is great that despite being so busy this summer with working on a new album, playing on the main stage at Reading and planning a tour to America, that he still has the time and energy to support the arts in his home town."

The festival will also have two other local patrons, author Rachel Lichtenstein, who wrote Rodinsky's Room, and cartoonist Clive Collins.

Tickets for Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly cost £12.50 from Chinnery's or PMT in Southend, Fives Records in Leigh and Rayleigh or online at www.seetickets.com or telephone 0870 264 3333.