Two chart-topping bands have been headlined to play at the first ever Dover Festival 2016.

The Dover Esplanade event is earmarked to take place on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24.

The Christians, who had five top 40 singles in the 1980s and 1990s including Harvest for the World will take to the stage at Cruise Terminal 1 on the Saturday.

The late Ian Drury's band The Blockheads who released popular hit Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, will appear on the Sunday.

This will be a free weekend of entertainment for all the family.

The Dover Festival 2016 is a collaboration of Dover Music Festival and the Port of Dover Community Regatta.

The community regatta will celebrate its fourth year and will take place on the Saturday.

Dover Music Festival, which has been running for three years, will showcase a variety of musical acts on Saturday evening and Sunday, July 24.

Tim Waggott, the Port’s chief executive, said: “Last year’s Regatta was another great day for Dover, bringing the port and its community together by celebrating our shared maritime heritage.

"Now we’re joining forces with the Dover Music Festival to create a weekend of fantastic free entertainment."

There has also been a change in the location of the main stage, which will be at the Port of Dover’s Cruise Terminal One.

Roger Marsden, Dover Music Festival director said: “As you can probably imagine, since last summer we’ve had a huge number of people asking us whether there were any plans for another Dover Music Festival and we are pleased that two of the biggest events to be held in our town are collaborating.”

For more information follow the Port of Dover Community Regatta and Dover Music Festival on Facebook.