Christmas kicks off in the town this weekend, with the return of the eagerly-anticipated Burnham Festive Fayre.

The fayre is returning to Burnham-on-Crouch High Street from 3pm to 7pm this Saturday (4 December), after organisers were forced to cancel the much-loved event last year due to the pandemic.

There will be plenty of opportunity to get ahead on your Christmas shopping as local businesses have a range of stalls at the event, selling everything from gifts and crafts to festive food and drink.

Children will be able to meet Santa in his grotto, receive a small gift and post him a letter at the cost of £2 per child, with no need to book.

Residents will also be able to meet other characters over the course of the day - including the infamous Maldon Grinch.

The plan for the day is as follows:

1) Begins at 3pm and finishes at 7pm on Burnham-on-Crouch High Street.

2) There will be fair rides and a range of stalls - stallholders should arrive from 1pm at the earliest.

3) Santa's grotto will be open from 3.15pm to 4.30pm and 5pm to 6.30pm.

4) There will be a presentation of cheques to local charities at around 3.45pm from money raised by the Burnham-on-Crouch Carnival.

5) There will be entertainment from Epic Dance, E and E Dance, Every Voice Choir, Serena Grant and Loula Panayi.

6) The Maldon Grinch, Essex Cosplayers and Blackwater Pirates will be in attendance. The High Street will be closed from 8.30am to 9pm between Chapel Road and Riverside Road to allow for the fayre. Drivers are being asked to not leave their car parked on the High Street overnight, or to remove it by 9am. Organisers have been advised by Maldon District Council to recommend the use of face coverings at the event - there will be masks available by Barclays Bank. The event is being sponsored by local businesses Victoria Inn, Vision Magazine, David Wilson Homes and Mecoy.