Unicorns set for Southend return next year

The organisers of the Southend Festival say they have had assurances from Unicorns that they will return to the Essex town next year.

Both CB40 games at Garon Park were abandoned over the weekend.

But festival chairman Baiju Solanki told BBC Essex: "The feedback was very positive to the extent that they've said they'll be back next year."

"Take the weather aside, there is nothing else that could have gone better."

Essex decided not to play in the town for the first time in 105 years this season.

Despite the setback, festival organisers managed to arrange for the Unicorns to host two of their CB40 matches there.

However, Sunday's game against Sussex was abandoned without a ball being bowled, and rain also put paid to Tuesday's match with Kent shortly after the mid-innings break.