MALDON’s first seafood festival has been hailed a huge success, according to the brains behind it.

The Maldon Oyster and Seafood festival saw more than 700 people turn up to sample lobsters, crabs and other shellfish delights.

Festival director Elanor Taylor said: “Eventually, we had to stop people coming in at around 4pm because we didn’t want it to be too crowded.

“I think there are a few things that I will change for next year’s festival because I really didn’t expect so many people.”

The sell-out festival included 14 stalls, live music and an oyster shucking competition, which was won by Fredrik Lindfors of the Fish Shop, in west London.

The festival hopes to be even bigger and cost less next year.

The event also celebrates the start of the eight-month-long native oyster season.

The festival was held at the amphitheatre in Promenade Park in Park Drive, Maldon.

All photos by Elanor Taylor.