New summer festival Dartford's Big Day Out featuring performances from Tony Christie, The Little Mix Show and Britain's Got Talent champs Twist and Pulse

Thousands of people are set to flock to a town for a new Summer festival celebrating the "Best of British".

Dartford’s Big Day Out will make its debut on Saturday with a host of events taking place at Central Park.

It will feature live music, fairground and miniature steam train rides, and even a Great British tea tent serving up free cuppas all day.

The community-fete style gathering stands in place of the popular Dartford Festival which ran for more than 80 years before being put on ice due to the pandemic.

This year's event, which is run in conjunction with Dartford council, has a "Best of British" theme to coincide with her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

Visitors will be given the chance to get up close with a full sized Spitfire taking pride of place in a British history area, or enjoy traditional attractions such as Gallopers, Punch and Judy and a Chair-o-plane.

For those wishing to relax and take in the atmosphere, there will be plenty of space to bring a picnic blanket and set up base for the day.

Hot on the heels of his Glastonbury show, British balladeer and Amarillo performer Tony Christie, will be performing live alongside a host of tribute acts to some of Britain’s biggest pop and rock legends.

They include The Little Mix Show - an energetic tribute show in the mould of the award-winning girl band, as well as Wannabe, a nod to the Spice Girls, and The Stones – a tribute to Dartford's homegrown rockers, The Rolling Stones.

Also performing live will be Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions winners Twist and Pulse who will be hosting throughout the day, as well as Maidstone-based Indie pop outfit The Soundcasters.

The council has also been working in partnership with diversity champions Cohesion Plus to deliver a range of street entertainment and performances.

Council leader Jeremy Kite said: “The pandemic may have scuppered our usual summer events, but we’ve put in a lot of effort to make sure the Big Day Out offers something for everyone and brings us all back together for a celebration in Central Park.

“Whether it’s offering free rides, money off food, or free entry to this great event, we hope that families will come down and enjoy this special occasion.

“It’s set to be a scorcher this weekend, so we’d ask visitors to stay safe by drinking plenty of water, spending time in the shade and wearing sunscreen.

"While dogs on leads are allowed, please consider whether they’ll be okay out in the heat.”

The free-to-enter bash runs from 11am to 6pm.