A FESTIVAL of films and street food is to return to Colchester this summer with Castle Park set to show some of the classics on the big screen later this month.

Colchester Outdoor Film and Street Food Festival, which will take place from Thursday, July 21 until Sunday, July 24, follows the decision of Colchester Events and Pop-Up Pictures to work together to put on the event.

Over four days next week, film buffs will have 12 movies to choose from, including Jumanji, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Back to the Future, American Werewolf in London, Bridesmaids, The Greatest Showman and Grease.

A free to enter pop-up street food market, run by Ealing Street, will also be open throughout the festival.

The four nights of food and movie screenings at Lower Castle Park will coincide with a prolonged spell of dry weather, with temperatures likely to average around 25c next week and stay around the 20c mark during the evenings.

Deputy council leader and portfolio holder for local economy and transformation Adam Fox said: “With the glorious summer weather set to continue into July, this will be a fantastic event for people to gather with family and friends in the heart of our city to enjoy great films and good food together.

“It’s encouraging to see the leisure sector working together in Colchester to bring so much variety of the city’s summer entertainment programme which is packed with world class music, comedy and festivals, to attract people from across the borough and the wider region.”

Danny Banthorpe, of Pop-Up Pictures, said local street food traders had been chosen especially for the event.

“We are really excited to deliver this new festival and street food concept with lots of diverse movies alongside a fantastic global street food market.

“We've also cherry picked some amazing local street food traders who’ll delight audiences with a tasty array of exciting flavours from around the world.”

Prices start at £9.50 per adult, and a child up to 15-years-old can enter free with a paying adult.