Television cameras will descend on Whitstable this summer as the town’s Oyster Festival attracts more attention than ever.

The annual week-long celebration will be featured on Meridian’s local news programme’s as well as the BBC’s Coast programme.

Film crews will be in town for the event in July and there will be a live broadcast for Meridian on Friday, July 25.

More than three million people are expected to tune in for the Coast episode, which will include segments filmed on the opening day, Saturday, July 19, and during the week.

Festival co-ordinator Mair Stratton said the interest proved that the work to promote and develop the festival was paying dividends.

“In recent years the festival has gone from being a small local event to something that people across the country are beginning to recognise,” she said.

“It continues to go from strength to strength and has proved itself a real asset to the community and the town’s businesses.”

This year’s event will have an increased focus on food and drink as well as featuring the traditional events and numerous arts and community activities.

It takes place from Saturday, July 19 to Sunday, July 27 and is funded by Canterbury City Council and organised by the council in partnership with the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association.

For more information, contact Michelle Moubarak from the council’s creative development team at michelle.moubarak@canterbury.gov.uk or call 01227 862267.