HUNDREDS of music fans are expected to attend an annual festival that makes a welcome return to Hythe on Saturday.
Rock the Pier is due to start at 12.30pm, when Trav Cats will appear on a specially-built stage on the promenade behind the Lord Nelson pub.
The stage will be situated only a stone's throw from the 700-yard pier, said to be the seventh longest in the British Isles.
Trav Cats will be followed by Johnson Van Dykes, Vision, REMbrandt and Stone Branches. The Soulcatchers will round off the festival with an hour-long gig starting at 6.30pm.
Last year's event raised £8,500 - an increase of £1,000 on the sum netted in 2021.
Posting on social media Hythe Pier Heritage Association (HPHA), which organises the festival, said: "Returning as MC this year is much-loved vocalist and born entertainer Byron Witchell. He will be joined by his friend and fellow vocalist - a previous Voice UK finalist - Rozzy Turner.
"Don't miss this awesome day. Not only a great line-up of bands but MCs that will blow your socks off."
READ MORE: Rock the Pier celebrates centenary of train used by royalty during Second World War
An HPHA spokesperson added: "The event is all about engaging with the community and raising funds towards the restoration of Hythe Pier and the iconic pier railway.
"HPHA merchandising will be on sale, including the 2023 Rock the Pier T-shirts.
"HPHA hopes everyone will enjoy the occasion and donate generously, either by buying its merchandising or dropping coins into the buckets that will be shaken around the village."
Grand Draw tickets costing £1 each will be available until minutes before it takes place.
Prizes include tickets for Paultons Park, Exbury Gardens, an SS Shieldhall cruise, ten Hythe Ferry trips and a Blue Funnel cruise, plus a furniture voucher for Rustic Dreams and a voucher for Fairweather’s Garden Centre.
READ MORE: Rock the Pier raises £8,500 for repairs to Hythe Pier and its narrow-gauge electric railway
Last year's event was called Rock the Train to mark the centenary of the pier's narrow-gauge electric railway.
Said to be the oldest continuously operating public pier train in the world, the train takes passengers to and from the ferry's landing stage.
In 1944 the train was used by King George VI, who visited the area to review preparations for the D-Day landings.
The two locomotives that trundle along the pier were built for use in First World War munitions factories.
The 142-year-old structure has been awarded listed building status in a move that could help HPHA secure vital funds.
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