AN ANNUAL beer festival attracted thousands of visitors in the run up to a town’s carnival.

The fourth Southend Carnival Beer Festival was held at Westleigh Junior School, Ronald Hill Grove, Leigh, during the weekend.

The event was hosted by Southend Carnival Events and helps raise funds for the carnival procession and Essex based charities.

There were real ales, ciders, wine and Prosecco available for visitors to enjoy throughout the three day festival.

The event also saw a range of Essex breweries showcase their products and host meet the brewer sessions.

There was food, live music and entertainment on offer throughout the event.

Carnival chairman Garry Lowel, 60, said: “We had a wonderful weekend and bucked the trend as people came out despite the bad weather.

“We had great support at the event from visitors.

“We had about 400 people on each of the three days.

“This was the first event with Hoppilly brewers and the school but it saw the community come together in a big way.”

The Southend Carnival procession sets off on Saturday at 6.45pm from Southchurch Park.

It will reach City Beach on the seafront at 7.30pm and finish further along the seafront at Shorefield Road at about 9pm.