Hopes of a bumper start to the tourist season in Sussex fizzled out when the Easter bank holiday turned into a bank holi-GREY.

Thousands flocked to the coast on Good Friday as temperatures soared, outstripping hotspots such as Greece and Egypt with a spring scorcher.

Beaches across the South Coast were packed with people soaking up the sunshine, hoping for a scorching Easter weekend.

Seafront shops and beachside market traders, cafes and bars enjoyed a roaring trade as holidaymakers jostled for spaces.

Many beachfront traders said it was the best day's trade they had ever had.

But bikinis and sarongs were hastily exchanged for jeans and jackets as the hot weather snapped on Saturday, leaving holidaymakers out in the cold as the clouds rolled in.

High winds had swept tourists away from the shore, leaving it deserted of all but diehard beach fans.

Easter Sunday started off better and crowds flocked to the seafront once more to catch the rays while they lasted.

But the day soon deteriorated into rain in the afternoon, leaving walkers diving for shelter and drivers scrambling to cover up their convertibles.

Hopes for an early start to the summer were dashed and the remainder of the Easter weekend was a washout as Monday dawned cloudy and grey.

But a spokesman for the Met Office pointed out that the Easter weekend was not usually fine for all four days of the break and that it was more likely to snow at Easter than it was at Christmas.

A spokesman from Brighton's seafront tourist office said: "It really was the weather that affected how it went this weekend.

"Friday was incredibly busy and many of the traders in the cafes and bars said it was the best day they had ever had in terms of trade.

"On Saturday people tended to go into town because the centre was very crowded but the beach was quiet, although it was quite busy on Sunday before it rained.

"Everyone knew from weather reports that it would start off well and then deteriorate so they all hit the beach on Friday."

He said that Monday's hazy sunshine had attracted crowds back to the sea but this time they were keeping covered up.

He said: "We didn't see anybody in the sea because there was quite a chilly breeze."

The situation was similar in Eastbourne over the holiday weekend.

A spokesman said: "It was pretty quiet compared to last year but it was down to the weather which you can never predict.

"Crowds flocked to the beach with the weather on Friday, but there weren't many people at all on the seafront on Saturday and Sunday."

Eastbourne town centre was almost deserted yesterday as people instead took to downland at Beachy Head.

Many packed picnics and strolled around in shorts and T-shorts despite temperatures being mild with a slight breeze.

Both piers were doing brisk trade, as were seafront souvenir shops, ice cream outlets and fish and chip takeaways.

Traders in Worthing were disappointed with the weekend trade but all blamed the changing weather.

Almar Millar co-owner of Cavendish hotel, Marine Parade, Worthing, said: "It was very disappointing. We did let a lot of rooms but it was not the normal amount for Easter weekend."

Tuesday April 22 2003