CHELMSFORD City Council has announced the headline act of the popular Fling Festival.

The Blockheads will be headlining this year’s event on the main stage, the festival, a summer festival for adults only, and is returning to Hylands Park, Saturday July 1 from 12pm to 11pm.

The Fling offers a large yet intimate village of music, surreal theatre, and storytelling amongst a banquet of performances of comedy, poetry, dance, cabaret, side-shows and other curiosities.

The Blockheads are best known for their hit singles, recorded with original lead singer Ian Dury; Billericay Dickie, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3, and their hugely successful Number One song, Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick.

On top of this they have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music business, including Paul McCartney, The Clash, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Madness, John Legend, and Nick Cave.

This year marks the band 40th anniversary. Rarely off the road since the demise of Ian Dury in 2000, but now with Dury’s best friend and minder Derek Hussey fronting the band, The Blockheads are still one of the most underrated British bands of all time, with a legion of fans of all ages.

The band are now currently finishing off a new album to complement the upcoming documentary ‘Beyond the Call of Dury’, due for release later in the year.

Tickets for The Fling Festival are available from £23 and can be purchased by calling 01245 606505 or online at www.FlingFestival.com