Hit six days of cricket and get bowled over!

It all takes place at Garon Park , off Eastern Avenue , Southend, and presents an endless array of excitement.

From Wednesday 4th August to Saturday 7th August there is a fabulous four-day LV division one county championship game between Essex and Warwickshire, followed on Sunday 8th August by a Clydesdale Bank 40-Over game against Northants Steelbacks.

Then for a dramatic finale to the event, at 3.30pm on Monday 9th August, there will be Twenty20 Celebrity Charity match between Ronnie Irani Essex XI and Steve Tilson All-Stars XI!

This game will raise funds for EASST (Essex and Southend Sports Trust) - currently running a £300,000 appeal to further develop the Centre of Excellence for Cricket at Garon Park - and SUCETS (Southend United Community and Education Trust).

Ronnie Irani's team will include some past and present Essex First XI players and coaches including Essex Captain, James Foster and Head Coach, Paul Grayson!

Steve Tilson, who recently left the role as Manager of Southend United, will captain the side, and he will be joined by some real legends such as Jeff Thomson and Richie Richardson.  

More star names are signing up for this daily.

STOP PRESS: There is still a chance for Community Groups to apply for free tickets for the festival under a special offer from Essex and Southend Sports Trust (EASST) and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. If you belong to a community group, school or charity and you would like apply, please contact Southend-on-Sea Borough Council on 01702 534853 or 01702 215175, or email: southendcricketfestival@southend.gov.uk as soon as possible, as there are now only a few free tickets left. (NB this offer does NOT apply to the charity match on Monday 9th August.)

Last year, those benefiting from this offer included: Southend Citizens Advice Bureau; Peaceful Place ; Havens Hospices; Interchurch Disabled Club, and a variety of Schools and Youth Clubs

Councillor Ian Robertson, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Enterprise , Tourism and Regeneration, says: "This year's Cricket Festival promises to be a truly terrific event with lots for all the family to enjoy during the school holidays. The Council and EASST are very pleased that many deserving community groups have already taken up our free ticket offer, but we would urge any others who would still like tickets, to contact us as soon as possible.

Mr Peter Butler , Chairman of the Essex Auto Group Southend Cricket Festival committee, says: "As well as top class cricket, the festival includes a whole range of other activities, such the Adventure Island under 11 Kwik cricket tournament, an evening with Graham Gooch and John Altman, a Real Ale festival and a car display of current models available from Essex Auto Group showrooms. This charity match will be a great sporting spectacle. It gives the people of Southend the opportunity to say goodbye to Steve Tilson - a great favourite of Southend United fans throughout his career.-and raise money for two important local sports charities."

Tickets for all the matches are available from the Ford County Ground at Chelmsford on 01245-254010, Blues Box Office at Roots Hall on 0844-477 0077 or online at http://www.essexcricket.org.uk/ or www.visitsouthend.co.uk

All tickets bought in advance are cheaper than those bought on the day at the gate.