FIVE box office smashes are set to draw the crowds to Colchester’s Castle Park this summer.

Colchester Events Company has announced its summer screenings are returning to the upper part of the park between July 2 and 15.

Free live Wimbledon streaming will also be screened during the famous tennis fortnight.

The movies weekend will kick off with British comedy Bridget Jones’s Diary on the evening of Friday July 6.

On Saturday July 7, musical favourite Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson, will be screened in the afternoon.

It will be followed by The Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman.

The film received Golden Globe nominations including for Best Motion Picture and Best Actor for Jackman and won Best Original Song for This is me.

Sunday afternoon’s screening will be Disney’s Moana and the weekend culminates with Sunday evening Sci-Fi with Star Wars – The Last Jedi on the big screen.

Annie Feltham, Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for commercial services, said: “Summer Screen in Castle Park has become a hugely popular feature of Colchester’s annual event calendar.

“It’s the perfect way to bring the people of Colchester together to enjoy sport and films within the beautiful and historic setting of Castle Park.”

There will be food and drink available from Café in the Park during the films as well as food trucks and bars set up alongside the screen.

Movie-goers are allowed to bring food and alcohol on to site, but alcohol can only be consumed within the screen venue area.

A licensed bar will also operate during the Wimbledon screenings.

Those attending the screenings are welcome to take a picnic but no barbecues will be permitted.

All children under 14 attending the film screenings must be accompanied by an adult.

Everyone seeking admittance to the screening area will be required to present a valid ticket at the gate including children under three for whom a free ticket must have been bought in advance.

Advance tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for children aged three to 14 and a family ticket for two adults and two children is £20.

At the events, the costs are £8.50 for adults and £6.50 for children.

Tickets will be available for summer screen from Friday at 10am via the Mercury Theatre Box Office on 01206 573948, at www.colchester-events.co.uk/summerscreen or in person at the Hollytrees Museum Visitor Information Centre.

Parking information can be found at www.colchester.gov.uk/parking.