The district is braced for a frightfully fun few days as Halloween returns.

From the usual Party in the Park in Southminster to a new older persons’ event in Maldon, there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy.

On the day of Halloween itself, hundreds of children are expected to descend on King George V Memorial Field, Southminster, for an afternoon of fun and games.

Party in the Park, which will run from 3.30pm to 6pm, is open to children 11 and under and will include bouncy castles, magic shows, children’s fairground rides, face painting, a Punch and Judy show and donkey rides.

Elsewhere in the district on Halloween, Maldon’s Plume School will play host to a new event organised by Maldon District Council that is devised to help integrate generations.

An older persons’ fish and chip supper will take place at the lower school campus in Mill Road from 5pm to 8pm, overlapping with sport-orientated workshops for 13 to 16-year-olds between 7pm and 9pm.

The workshops will include boxing, free running and parkour, street dancing and dodge ball.

Both events are free and devised to change the common perception of young people.

On Tuesday afternoon, a children’s party will take place at Cold Norton Village Hall, in Cherry Blossom Lane, from 2pm to 4pm.

The event, which will include a messy lucky dip and a range of games and craft activities, is being held to raise funds for Cold Norton Pre-School.

Tickets are £2.50 per child, including cake and drink, or £1 for under 2s.