DJ Carl Cox will entertain 10,000 revellers in Maidstone this summer when the town’s newest dance festival returns.

The former Radio 1 presenter, and champion of techno, is set to top the list of acts booked for the Social when it takes over Mote Park on Saturday, September 13, we can exclusively reveal.

The rest of the line-up is yet to be announced.

Around 6,000 people went to the festival’s debut last year, organised and funded by Maidstone-born DJ Nic Fanciulli. Another 3,000 were at the Family Social the following day.

The dad-of-one said there are no plans include the child-friendly part this year. He said: “We hope to reintroduce it next year but for now, we think it will be better for us to focus on what we know best.

"Last year’s event was our first and it was successful so we really want to build on that. We’re looking to improve the production, the food and the facilities. We’ve increased the capacity but we want to keep it as a unique, boutique festival.”

Mr Fanciulli, who lives in West Malling, announced the date of the Social at a charity club night at Buddha Belly.

The night raised £3,000 for the Quest School in Ryarsh, which looks after autistic children.

In the run-up to the main event, there will be a string of smaller parties. The first, called Landed, will be in Millennium Park, off St Peter’s Street, on April 20.

Mr Fanciulli said: “Most tickets for Landed have been sold to people in Maidstone, which shows people are very supportive of local events.”

Early bird and loyalty tickets for The Social sold out in minutes on Monday night. More tickets will be released at 6pm tonight.

For more details and tickets, visit www.thesocialfestival.com.