Whoever arranged the weather for this year's Kemp Town Carnival was in a very good mood.

The sun blazed down on one of the year's first scorching summer days as thousands of people enjoyed the party atmosphere.

The eighth annual carnival was the biggest yet and packed with stalls, music, food and drink and entertainers.

It took up the whole of St George's Road and even featured a Big Top circus for the first time which proved to be one of the biggest draws.

Fred Delius, 47, from Brighton, owner of Fred's Flying Circus, said: "It's beautiful weather but a bit hot to be jumping in and out of boxes and have spears stuck through you."

Fred has been touring France for 15 years and this was his first return to British shores working with his daughter China, 21.

Their juggling and illusion show was joined by magician The Great Velcro and clown Pineapple Head.

There were more acrobatics outside as a trapeze artist performed tricks inside a birdcage swinging from a flowery arch, and athletic performances from the Brighton Morris Men.

The morris men come to the carnival every year but this time they had some special helpers from Telscombe Cliffs Community Primary School.

Boys and girls from the school took part in a stick dance and a hanky dance.

Larissa Willard, eight, from Peacehaven, said: "My favourite bit has been meeting the morris men. I want to come back again next year."

May Richards, eight, from Peacehaven, said: "I liked doing the hanky dance best."

Bands playd throughout the day on stages outside the Golden Cannon and Dragon pubs and at the Polar Bar.

Southern FM presenter Danny Pike made an appearance with his band The Regulators and the Brighton College Swing Band got people dancing with their mix of jazz and funk.

Most traders had stalls set up outside their shops and some residents joined in with jumble or food stalls of their own.

Local charities also found the event a draw for raising funds and getting people involved.

Terry Ayres, administrator for the Brighton Heart Support Trust, said: "Our charity is actually being supported by the Kemp Town Traders this year so it's great to have a stall here.

"It's excellent for us because we get people interested in what we do."

This year the preparations began early with clowns advertising in the shops and a mural on the seafront designed by local artists.

Kevin Barrett, who runs Foto Finish, said: "It's been lovely. I'm very glad we've got the Big Top, which has been fantastic."