Organisers of Whitstable Oyster Festival have announced dates for this year's event.

The vibrant, family-friendly festival - an homage to the shellfish for which Whitstable is famous - takes place in the town every summer.

Traditional events include the oyster parade, the landing and blessing of the oysters, the 'mud tug' and building 'grotters' - small candlelit mounds of oyster shells - on the beach at sunset.

The Oyster Festival was recently taken over by Full Event Production Ltd, which threw its first event last year. - after it won a £120,000, four-year tender to run the festival.

Now, the company has revealed this summer's festival will take place from Saturday 27 until Monday 29 July.

Recent years have seen the famous festival scaled back from 10 days to a weekend-long event, and some events moved away from the centre of town.

Many have taken to social media to express hopes this year's festival will take place in Whitstable, rather than on Tankerton Slopes, which is where the food fair has recently been held.

Joanna Clode wrote on Facebook: "Please bring it back to Whitstable Town Centre where it belongs.

"Went in 2014 and it was wonderful, but have been put off since by the festival being downsized, events removed and last year the location completely changed.

"I really hope this isn't repeated in 2019 as I really want to come along, but would not make the long trip from Worcestershire unless it is really worthwhile again."

Linda Baldry added: "Will it be in Whitstable this year ? I certainly hope so."

Full Event Production Ltd is yet to confirm the 2019 line-up and location of events.