THE Horror-on-Sea festival went into its second and final weekend with rave reviews and feedback.

The festival which was the first of its kind in Essex, went into its seventh year, with next year’s dates already booked.

The event, spread over two weekends, saw horror film fans, independent film makers and actors mingle for one of the most “fun” events in Southend, according to organiser, Paul Cotgrove.

The finale of the festival, which took place at the Park Inn, in Southend, involved the screening of a number of films throughout the day, and was jam packed with a buzzing energy.

Paul Cotgrove, said: “As the organiser, I’m absolutely ecstatic with how the two weekends have gone.

“They’ve both been very busy with such a great fan atmosphere, and mix of film fans and filmmakers.

“We had so many filmmakers to support their films it’s just fantastic. The feedback we are getting is that it’s one of the most fun festivals going.

“We can’t wait for next year, we already have the dates from Park Inn and it will be for another two full weekends again, on January 10 to January 12, and again the following weekend.”

Paul, who used to be in the film distribution industry in London’s Soho, also organises the Southend Film Festival, which Essex actor Ray Winstone is a patron of.

The next Southend Film Festival will take place in May. Paul added: “I’ve moved from working in film in London to setting up a company on my doorstep which has made life a lot easier.

“Southend is an ideal place for a film festival and there really isn’t anything like this in the whole of Essex, so I spotted an opportunity.”