This year's Burnham-on-Crouch Carnival will be held on Saturday 24 September from 10am, with an illuminated procession from 7.30pm.

Festivities are set to include stalls, local dance schools, cosplayers (including the Southend-on-Sea Ghostbusters and the Blackwater Pirates), a circus workshop and Punch & Judy show with local puppeteer Miraiker Wallace, Dancing Grannies and more.

The Southend-on-Sea Ghostbusters and Blackwater Pirates will take part in the procession. (Photos: Ben Shahrabi)

In the run-up to the big day, the committee has organised a variety of events for locals to enjoy.

These include:

• Darts competition at The Welcome Sailor on Thursday 8 September, from 8pm (£2.50 entry)
• Dominoes competition at The Welcome Sailor on Thursday 15 September, from 8pm (£2.50 entry)
• Quiz Night hosted by Caroline Community Radio's Kevin Briggs at Burnham Village Hall on Monday 19 September, from 8pm (maximum of 6 per team - £2.50 per entry)
• Baby Show in Burnham Village Hall on Wednesday 21 September, judging from 2pm (Dengie babies only - £2.50 entry)
• Pool and Presentation evening at The Welcome Sailor on Friday 23 September (£2.50 entry)

A road closure will be in place in the town on Saturday 24 September, from 7am until 10pm, from Chapel Road to Riverside Road. There will be no access to any vehicles, apart from emergency services. Vehicles will be unable to leave until 10pm, with the exception of stall holders.

Motorists have been asked to follow the diversion along Chapel Road, Western Road, or Devonshire Road in order to access Riverside Road and get to the Belvedere and Silver Road.

Organisers have urged residents to remove all vehicles as "this causes mega problems every year".

They said: "Please make sure no cars are left in the road closure.

"Support the Carnival and remove them before 7am, as this affects the organisation of stalls, stage, and rides massively – and you won't be able to get them out until after 10pm."

As always, there will be fun for all ages at this year's event. (Photo: Daniel Reed)

Further road closures for Burnham High Street, Station Road, Devonshire Road, Arcadia Road, and Dunkirk Road, starting at the Co-op from 5pm, are scheduled. Then, they will be in place from 6pm at the T-junction on Maldon Road.

Visitors will be directed towards Ormiston Rivers Academy and St Mary's Church to park.

There will be no access to the town or railway station after 6pm, until the closure ends between 9.30 and 10pm, except for floats and emergency services.

Motorists will be able to enter and leave the town between 5pm and 6pm from Alexander Road and via railway.

Organisers have thanked the community for their support and apologised for an inconvenience caused.

Earlier this month, Maldon celebrated its first carnival in three years.