IT’S getting scary in Southbourne as organisers prepare for a full day of Halloween fun for all ages.

Frankenfest combines a children's parade, street entertainment and food, with live music including chart-topping act Doctor and the Medics.

The glam rockers, formed in 1981, had a number one UK hit in 1986 with their version of Spirit in the Sky.

Entertainment will also include the leading Madness tribute band the Los Palmas 6.

The event takes place on Saturday October 27, 10am-10pm, at Southbourne Grove, with part of the road closed for the day.

Fiona McArthur, chair of Southbourne-on-Sea Business Association, is behind this year’s Frankenfest, and also organised the summer Shake and Stir festival and Christmas events.

“We tried Halloween last year with Frankensfest and we had such a good response, everyone’s been asking us to do it again,” she said.

The event grew out of the spooky storytelling for children that took place at Fisherman’s Walk for 10 years, but which proved so popular that it threatened to become difficult to control.

Now, the children get a chance to take part in a Halloween parade in fancy dress at 5pm, with prizes for the best costumes.

There will be a marquee in the high street, “feeler boxes” to scare youngsters, street performers putting on short shows and the chance to have a zombie family photo taken.

There will also be face painting, street food and candy floss.

“It’s a safer way for kids to trick-or-treat,” said Fiona.

“Not everybody likes it, so it’s a good way to go out and do it in an environment where they can dress up and it’s safe.”

Last year’s event drew thousands to Southbourne, with around 500 taking part in the fancy dress procession.

The event has been seed-funded by Bournemouth Coastal Business Improvement District (BID), with traders and the community pitching in as well.

Just closing roads for the event costs around £8,000-£9,000, Fiona said.

A Just Giving page has been set up in an effort to balance the books at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/frankenfest2018