Love and harmony were on offer in abundance for visitors to a peace festival in Hove.

Healers offering free Indian head massage and reflexology were kept busy by visitors keen to escape the rain at the Peace 2002 festival.

The Direct Love Activists offered free energy healing inside a tent as part of the peace festival, including a full body Thai massage or spiritual healing by the laying on of hands.

Savita Burke, a yoga and meditation teacher from Portslade, said: "We want to help people empower themselves.

"The event helps bring different people together. We want visitors to try different treatments - and to have a rest and forget their stress."

Hemp ice cream and vegetarian food was on offer, while the entertainment came from more than 1,000 local performers, including gospel singers, upcoming Sussex bands and a 300-strong choir, Vocal Explosion.

About 20,000 people were expected to attend yesterday's event on Hove Lawns.

money raised will go to Peace Messenger, a Brighton-based organisation that promotes peace in schools and the community.

Will Cottrell, who helped organise the event, said: "It's a festival for the community to get together. We're trying to enhance Brighton's cultural diversity and celebrate it."

Across town, residents of Kemp Town showed community spirit was still alive at the weekend with a bed push race and carnival.

Doctors and nurses started festivities on Friday night by donning fancy dress and pushing 16 beds along St George's Street.

On Saturday, there was a fun fair for children and food and clothes stalls. Members of community groups, such as the Green Party and the Older People's Council, were on hand to give advice.

Edward Furey, a member of the Older People's Council, moved from London to Brighton 23 years ago.

He said: "Kemp Town is one of the most fun places to live in Britain. The carnival has been fantastic - it's a great opportunity for the community to come together."

The carnival, which attracted 4,000 people, aimed to raise money to fund next year's event.

Saltdean Primary School kicked its summer fair off with a procession at 10.30am at Saltdean Oval.

In keeping with the day's circus theme, guests included Rondo the Clown.