HIP-HOP artist and poet Scroobius Pip has rolled up his sleeves for the Village Beach festival this year, by getting out his sketch pad.

The Grays-born poet has taken time off from performing as part of hip-hop duo Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip to design a one-off busking stage for Grays talent.

The aim of the stage is to give local talent on-the-up a chance to be seen and heard.

Pip decided to get involved after being approached by Thurrock Arts Collective, who run spoken word events in Thurrock.

The intimate beach hut will be decorated with lyrics from his last album, Repent Replenish Repeat, with Dan le Sac, which reached number 22 in the UK chart.

The duo describe themselves as “sounding like a head-on collision between the Streets, Goldie Lookin’ Chain and Kieran Hebden’s Fourtet”.

Thurrock Arts Collective said of the busking stage: “Think musicians, think singers, think poets, think comedians.”

It will be Grays celebrities’ second artistic contribution to the festival, as comedian Russell Brand has also designed a unique beach hut experience.

Robert Awosusi, of Thurrock Arts Collective, said: “We plan to bring together an assortment of local emerging performers so they can have a platform at the festival to show off their artistic flair. It’s going to be a stonking day.”

Thurrock Arts Collective’s last event at the Thameside Theatre showcased local performers Figures, Jumeau Sisters, Olmo Lazarus and Peter Amey.

Interested performers can turn up on the day at the Busking Stage, or register in advance by emailing thurrock.arts.collective @gmail.com The Village Beach Festival is on Saturday, July 18, at Grays Riverside Beach Park.