It's that time of year again - time to dust off your deckchairs, roll up your picnic blankets, pack up your hampers and head for Southend's Priory Park.

It's the time when the park's lush green landscape is transformed into an open-air venue for a fundraising musical extravaganza.

The final preparations are now under way to make sure the Concerts in the Park, sponsored by the Echo, go with a bang this Saturday and Sunday.

This year's event guarantees to be bigger and better than ever before as, for the first time in the musical event's history, it will be spread over two days. To make this possible the show's organisers, Rayleigh Mill Rotary Club, have joined forces with their fellow rotarians from Rochford.

It was decided to host a two-day event this year to mark the centenary celebrations of Rotary International as well as the tenth anniversary of the Concert in the Park event itself.

As usual, Saturday night will be a refined and majestic affair, with a pinch of pomp and circumstance, as the evening's entertainment is devoted to the classics.

For the tenth year, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will take centre stage as they play a programme of light classical music.

They will then be encouraging everyone onto their feet, flags in hand, for a rip-roaring Last-Night-of-the-Proms-style finale - complete with fireworks display.

Joining the orchestra will be tenor Richard Coxon, who trained at the Royal Northern College of Music.

His concert repertoire includes Beethoven, Dvorak, Elgar, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini and Verdi.

The supporting act for Saturday night's concert will be the Hugh Rainey Jazz Band.

The group, who are led by Hugh Rainey, have been playing since 1970 and will have the crowd snapping their fingers and tapping their feet to their mix of classic New Orleans jazz, swing, blues, classic ballads and Dixieland.

Carl Watson, the concert's publicity officer, describes them as "very lively, good fun jazz".

This is the first time the band have played at the concert.

"The atmosphere is electric," says Carl of the Concert in the Park events.

"People use the occasion to dress up - and don't forget to take your tables and chairs.

"It's a case of coming along and soaking up the atmosphere.

"It's all lit up and everyone's having a good time."

Sunday night is then devoted to pure rock 'n' roll nostalgia as Showaddywaddy, the Merseybeats and the Foundations get the crowds singing along to their hits from the Sixties and Seventies.

Seventies rock 'n' roll revivalists Showaddywaddy are headlining Rockin' in the Park, the second evening of music, and will be performing some of their classic tunes such as Three Steps to Heaven, Pretty Little Angel Eyes and their chart-topping hit Under the Moon of Love.

Showaddywaddy won't be the only chart-toppers on stage on Sunday night.

The Foundations reached number one with their debut single Baby Now That I've Found You and hit the charts twice with Build Me Up Buttercup in both 1968 and 1998.

Build Me Up Buttercup is sure to have the crowds roaring along with the band, but fans should probably save their voices to sing along to the Merseybeats.

The Sixties band were regulars at the Cavern Club and are now regulars at concerts all over the world.

They will play some of their chart hits including Wishin' and Hopin' and Don't Turn Around.

Carl says: "Whether jazz and classics is your thing, or the foot-stomping Sixties and Seventies, don't miss the chance to enjoy a picnic in the park and be entertained by world class acts on both days.

"It's a worthwhile cause, it's run by volunteers and every single penny goes to charity."

Money from the concerts will be going to buy two pieces of specialised cardiac equipment for Southend Hospital worth a total of £75,000.

Tickets cost £16, £14 for concessions, and £20 on the night. They are available from the Supreme Holiday Kiosk, Southend High Street, by visiting the Rotary website or by telephoning 01702 353599.

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend Saturday, June 25. 4pm 01702 353599

Rockin' in the Park Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend Sunday, June 26. 5pm 01702 353599

www.rotary-club.org.uk