A NIGHT of swing music will be returning to Colchester for a fourth year.

The Swing Spectacular celebrates music and dance from the 1920s to the 1950s, while raising money for homeless charity Emmaus Colchester.

Vocalist and vintage sensation Lydia Bell, who went to Colchester County High School for Girls, organises the event and this year it will be held at Colchester Arts Centre on June 8.

With three live bands, the night will kick off with a jazz and cabaret vibe courtesy of the Volstead Orchestra.

Lydia will make an appearance as part of the Bell Sisters and will complete the night with the Sweeting Swing Band.

There will also be swing dance lessons courtesy of the Dinahs, a cocktail bar, a vintage photo booth and a charity raffle.

Swing-era dress is encouraged.

Lydia Bell, former pupil at Colchester County High School for Girls, organised the first event in 2016 to raise funds for her master’s degree in Jazz, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

She said: “I had an unbelievable response in the first year. I felt I had to keep doing it because it was so popular and it feels particularly special running the event in my home town.

“It’s so clear to see the homelessness problem Emmaus Colchester addresses.

“I feel it’s the most important cause we could support, and I love the charity’s shops and everything it does in the town.”

The event is sponsored by vintage clothing store Chocodolly.

All tickets are £19.50 and are available to book at www.colchesterartscentre.com.

Doors open at 7pm.