Thousands of children will take to the streets to kick-start three weeks of arts and entertainment in their own carnival.

Pupils from more than 70 schools in Brighton and Hove will be joined by community groups and samba bands for the Children's Parade touring the city streets tomorrow.

The carnival will mark the launch of this year's Brighton Festival, with 10,000 people expected to line the route as the youngsters show off their home-made costumes.

The parade will leave Sydney Street at 10.30am, led by children from Somerhill Junior School in Somerhill Road, Hove, who chose this year's theme, All The World's A Stage.

An exclusive supplement in The Argus on Monday will include pictures of the children's parade following the carnival from the North Laine down to the seafront finale.

Outfits inspired by the Pirates of Penzance, Mary Poppins and The Lion King have been in preparation for months after organisers from Same Sky contacted parents and teachers last September with plans for the 15th annual parade.

Same Sky general manager Bec Britain said: "The parade involves a vast amount of the community and this is the first year the children have chosen the theme.

"It gives the youngsters a strong sense of ownership of place because they get to make something, go out with their schools and walk through the centre of Brighton in front of 10,000 people."

Each school has selected their own topic and created large models to accompany the children down to the beach.

For more details about the festival, visit www.brighton-festival.org.uk See The Argus on Monday for an eight-page children's parade picture pullout