COLOURFUL characters from the world of musicals took centre stage at a popular children’s parade.

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The Argus:

As well as an impressive set of costumes and displays, the annual children’s parade in Worthing was blessed with clear skies and warm temperatures as more than 1,000 children and adults marched through the town.

Organisers said the event, which features a different theme each year, was the “best ever” since its beginning seven years ago.

Pupils, parents and teachers from 17 different schools across Worthing created costumes and displays from hit stage musicals including The Lion King, Wicked, Matilda and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang..

Hundreds of people lined the parade route to show their support. Starting from Splashpoint at 10am on Saturday, participants made their way along the seafront to West Buildings, up through Montague Street and back through the town centre before finishing in Steyne Gardens.

Organiser Lindy Stannard said: “I would say it was the best ever. It was the first time we had good weather too.

“It’s grown year on year, which was evident yesterday as it was visibly bigger than usual. There was a fantastic atmosphere with lots of spectators showing their support with whistles and the like.

“There were some great displays and costumes on show which must have taken a lot of work – including a fabulous Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat sculpture. We also had the BFG, Lion King, Warhorse, Wicked and lots of others too.”

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton compèred the day, greeting each school group as they arrived at Steyne Gardens.

Ms Stannard added: “Tim returned again for another year. He does a fabulous job and he really threw himself into the theme and sang some songs which was great. He’s not a bad singer.

“I’d like to thank Adur and Worthing Borough Council for their continued support of this very popular event, and especially as a teacher myself, I’d like to thank the Worthing school teachers who put in a huge number of hours outside of their working day to make it such a success again.”

The parade ended with a charity fair at Steyne Gardens organised by the Smiles Foundation.

It featured a range of games and entertainment including a bouncy castle and charity stalls.

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