INTERNATIONAL superstars are set to headline at a new music festival in Essex which is expected to draw in more than 10,000 people.

Organisers of the Glastonbury music festival are said to be helping coordinate plans for the £445,000 event, which is planned to take place from September 2-4.

It is understood it will be staged at Southend Airport, with a converted hangar used to host the event.

The unannounced line-up is understood to have been drawn up and will include a mix of international and upcoming local artists.

A council report describes some of the artists provisionally booked as “world-class”.

Sponsors are also said to be on board and Southend Council has pledged £125,000 from its events budget.

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for culture and tourism, announced the festival at a cabinet meeting.

She said: “The art of a great festival is a great reveal so I can only say watch this space.

“I would like publicly to thank the airport for stepping in and taking such a great part in it.

“Also those with the vision that something like this could come about in the city when we’d never done it before and with the determination to pursue it at every level.

“I believe this is the greatest show for Southend city.

“Working with organisers it is clear to me this is aimed at the people, and more particularly the people of Southend, with its offer over three days to welcome visitors, world class artists and our own homegrown talent.”

Sam Duckworth - more commonly known as Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - has been leading the project alongside a partnership between the council, the Town2City Partnership created by the late Sir David Amess, The Music Man Project, Southend Airport and the chamber of trade.

Organisers of the Leigh Folk Festival and Village Green have also given advice for the event.

Income will come from ticket sales, sponsorship, catering concessions and external funding.

A headline sponsor has already been secured.

Infrastructure and staff for the festival “will use as much local talent as possible to support the local economy”.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, said: “I’m so excited about this. I love music.

“People associated with the Glastonbury festival have also been involved in helping to check it out and look at the logic of this whole arrangement.

“It is absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to hear who the performers are going to be.

“Whether it’s rock, metal or classical I don’t care I just want to hear it.”

A report published before the cabinet meeting states the festival is being arranged to mark Southend’s newly appointed city status, with bosses hoping it will increase the area’s profile both regionally and nationally.