It’s a summer celebration of the county’s coast - and it’s back on the menu this bank holiday weekend.

The Whitstable Oyster Festival, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, will run from Friday, August 27 to Bank Holiday Monday, August 30, hailing the humble molusc the seaside town is famous for.

Traditional elements will be back, including The Landing of the Oysters - the symbolic start of it all, when the fishermen’s catch is blessed by a member of the clergy, which will be held on Saturday, August 28 at 3pm at East Quay Beach.

Festivalgoers can cheer on competitors in the world-famous oyster eating competition on the Harbour Stage on Saturday, August 28 from 1.30pm, if they have the stomach for it.

There will be a messy spectacle on Long Beach on Sunday, August 29 when the well known Mud Tug takes place from 11am.

And, for a quieter moment, there’s the chance to build your own grotter - a tower of shells on the beach, lit up from inside making a spectacular sight as the sun goes down - will be on Sunday, August 29 from 4pm until sunset, at just before 8pm, on Horsebridge Beach.

The food fair, however, has been cancelled this year.

Other related events include a shop window dressing contest, to be judged by Whitstable Pearl bestselling author Julie Wassmer and a children’s art display.

Local artists have also got together to stage an Open House event as part of the Made in Whitstable Arts Crafts and Vintage Trail on Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29, when artists will open their doors to the public to show them locally-made unique artwork.

You can download the crafts trail guide here and to find out all about the events happening for the oyster festival visit the Facebook page or the website at whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk

For more ideas for this bank holiday weekend across Kent click here