Icarus's wings melted and the daredevil Greek plumeted to earth when he flew too near the sun.

There was never any danger of that happening to the intrepid birdmen of Bognor who, as usual, got wet extremely quickly as every attempts to defy gravity ended in spectacular failure.

The wackiest end of the pier show in Britain once again played to a full house yesterday as thousands lined the promenade to watch an event, which has become an institution.

This year the birdmen were joined by birdwomen as Monika Smith, a 50-year-old library assistant from Bognor, made a flap by leaping from the pier in a penguin costume after a good luck kiss from husband Roy.

Student Melanie Smith, at 17 and also from Bognor, was the youngest to take part as "Dolly Bird with Plane."

Low winds blowing in the wrong direction put paid to any flyer winning the £25,000 jackpot for the longest flight over 100 metres put up by Butlin's.

But hot favourite Ron Freeman, 44, a hang-gliding instructor from Northumberland went home with another £1,000 after flying the longest distance which was assessed at just below 26 metres.

Ron, winner of Birdman for the last two years running, billed himself as the "Geordie Flyer" and also stayed up in the air the longest at 3.4 seconds.

A few miles along the coast, planes from the Battle of Britain came face to face with the best of the jet age when 40,000 people visited Airshow 2000.

On the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, they were treated to fly-pasts by Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster Bombers at Shoreham Airport yesterday and Saturday.

John Periam, spokesman for the Shoreham RAFA, which organised the charity event, said: "This year we've had an amazing variety of aircraft."

A poignant moment came when former RAF jet pilot Dennis Kenyon performed helicopter tricks. In March his 18-year-old son, also Dennis, was killed in a helicopter crash.

In keeping with the Second World War theme, forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, who lives in Ditchling, watched the display.

Meanwhile at the former Battle of Britain airfield at Tangmere, Chichester, which was specially reopened for the occasion, thousands of people took part in a night of memories to commemorate the anniversary.

Prince Edward and Alf Garnet actor Warren Mitchell were among the guests at the nostalgic Forties evening held in honour of 70 veterans who travelled from across the country to take part.

Conductor Ron Goodwin, famous for his patriotic film scores, joined the Foundation Philharmonic Orchestra to perform a variety of famous tunes including the RAF March Past, the Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square and the Dambusters March.

One of the highlights of the show was a singalong of favourite songs such as Run Rabbit Run and It's a Long Way to Tipperary, led by Alf Garnett before soprano Sarah Walker led the crowd in a rousing version of Rule Britannia.

In Brighton, the Blooming Whitehawk Festival was brought back to life on Saturday after a gap of two years.

Edward Cope, chairman of the Whitehawk Festival Committee, said: "It is about bringing the community together and getting this estate back to what it used to be like - a happy, family-run estate.

"We are trying to alter the image of this area."

Deputy mayor Gill Mitchell opened the floral-themed event, which started in an explosion of colour as children took part in a fancy dress procession along Whitehawk Road to the recreation ground.

Youngsters, some only toddlers, went to town with their extravagant costumes which included a dancing Chinese dragon, flowerpot men and sparkling flower fairies.

There were displays of gymnastics, kick boxing, a garden competition, a pet show and about 30 stalls displaying the work of all the voluntary projects working in the area.

At Plumpton College, Sky TV weather presenter Hazel Murray brought out the sunshine when she opened the English Wine and Regional Food Festival.

Hazel, who looks after what is believed to be the only vineyard in central London, told the crowd she has just made her first 29 bottles of rose and added: "Most of it has already been drunk. But there should be more next year. Over the last three years I have found out all about pruning, weeding, and waiting for sunshine. I really do know the blood, seat and tears that goes into every bottle. I wouldn't want to do it for a living."

Wine expert Charles Metcalfe, who lives near Henfield, chaired the judging panel, and television wine pundit Martin Doubleday was master of ceremonies.

Meanwhile soccer pundit Jimmy Hill opened Hassocks Fair.

After receiving a bottle of champagne by fair queen Sophie Gladman, ten, he autographed the boxed bottle and handed it to Sylvia Howard, secretary of Hassocks Community Association, and one of the fair's organising committee, saying: "That is for all your hard work."

Arena events included Burgess Hill Marching Band Display, birds of prey, a donkey derby, Brillo the Clown, Line Dancing by Let's Dance group, and a grand draw.