A MUSIC festival which sees 3,000 people take to Mersea Island every year is set to return later this summer with a clutch of well-known names in the dance music scene.

The Secret Island Festival, which is organised by lifelong friends Matt Prevett, Ben Wass, and Janes Dunn will be held on Saturday, July 29 at Strood Field, East Mersea in what will be the third edition of the event.

Among the headliners are Faithless, Shapeshifter, Norman Jay, and DJ Rap, but there will be some 50 artists in total over the weekend performing across five stages.

Speaking to the Gazette, Matt Prevett explained there is a strong emotional connection with the event given that he and fellow organisers Mr Dunn and Mr Wass are all from Mersea.

He said: “We’ve been involved in the community for quite a few years in various capacities – we’re doing this because of our passion for music and we feel there is a gap which isn’t being filled in the Colchester area.

“It has a special place in our heart, and Mersea Island is a bit unique and people can escape there a little bit.

“The location itself is one of the island’s farms and it looks out onto the estuary – you get some of the best views of the sunset.”

Mr Prevett added: “This year, we’ve got some very established names in the dance music scene and we are hoping for 3,000 people to come to the festival this year.

“We’re trying to encourage local talent, suppliers, and DJs to get involved and we’re hoping people have a really good time like they did for the last few years.”

The cost of the event runs into the hundreds of thousands, but the event is still managing to add something different as it grows in stature each year, Mr Prevett said.

He said: “People can expect a bigger looking event with a custom build main stage; we’ll introduce more bars for people to get a drink and we will have a big wheel to entertain people when they’re not dancing.

“It’s the smiles on people’s faces you do it for – seeing people let loose a little bit.

“When it all comes together, that’s the main thing for us.”

The festival got its secret name because its exact location was only known to ticket holders, not the general public.

Tickets, which are priced at £42.50 on secretislandfestival.co.uk, are on sale now.