The Queen Victoria pub in Spital Road, Maldon, has teamed up with a variety of local suppliers to organise a 'festival of fish', starting next Thursday (September 1).

Landlord James Burrell-Cook said: "Fish festivals in the UK date back to the 1100s.

"Pre-dating that, due to their exceptional quality, the Romans exported oysters from the Colne Estuaries back to Rome.

"The UK's fine fish and superb seafood are, without question, cause for celebration!"

"The UK's fine fish and superb seafood are, without question, cause for celebration!" James Burrell-Cook, Landlord of The Queen Victoria

From Thursday 1 until Saturday 3 September, The Queen Victoria will serve seafood from a variety of local suppliers, including: Blackwater Oysters, Mersea Oysters, Maldon Oysters, Lambton & Jackson, Colchester Fish and C&M Fisheries.

Landlord James and his husband Paul hope to offer a 'celebration of seafood', which will be prepared by their 'talented' team.

The team at The Queen Victoria says it wants to ensure its customers do not miss out on welcoming the new oyster season, which starts in September, by hosting this special event.

According to the old adage, one should only eat wild oysters in months containing the letter 'r', which means the season lasts from September until April.

The pub will be open from midday, with last orders being taken at 8.45pm throughout the three-day event.

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Thursday 1 September:

• Guests can select as many dishes as they wish from the Seafood Menu which will be prepared by The Queen Victoria's chefs.
• Tickets are priced at £40 per person and booking is advisable as space is limited.
• Fish fanatics will have two hours to take on the 'all you can eat seafood feast'.

Friday 2 and Saturday 3 September:

• The pub will offer an 'à la carte' menu, featuring freshly caught fish from around Mersea and UK waters. This includes skate, Dover sole and plaice.
• There will also be salmon on offer from the award-winning Lambton & Jackson smokehouse, along with cod, haddock, and other catches from UK waters.
• Booking is essential and tables will be available for three-hour sittings on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit The Queen Victoria's website, or get in touch via email.