Tens of thousands are expected to attend one of Kent's most popular summer events, which gets underway today.

The Dartford Festival, at Central Park, is promising famous faces, live music and entertainment, plus stalls and sports events.

It will be headlined by The X Factor winner and nearly local boy Matt Terry, the two days of the festival include live music from The Skatonics, an eight-piece band with a big following, and M.A.N.E., a new indie pop electronica artist/producer whose debut single will be lighting up dance floors later this year.

More music will come from The Christians, Space, Peter Hook & The Light, Ian Prowse & Amsterdam and more while local acts taking to the stage include Sapphire Dance Company, Taylormade Dance, Hollywood Performing Arts and Daluca Dance School.

Sports clubs including Dartford FC, Dartford Valley Rugby Club and Dartford Cricket Club will be running taster sessions and there will be plenty of food and drink – as well as the option to bring a picnic.

Now 80-years-old, the event has grown from a town carnival to a free family-fun weekend, with almost 40,000 people flocking to attend last year.

Dartford council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite said: “Once again, we’re delivering a great mix of community groups, local charities, brilliant local performers and some of the country’s best loved live bands."