Up to 10,000 people are expected to watch Burning The Clocks, a torchlit winter solstice procession culminating with burning effigies of demons.

The ceremony could be a pagan ritual dating back centuries, so newcomers to Brighton are surprised to learn the Burning The Clocks tradition is only ten years old.

But the annual event has already written itself into local folklore.

The festival, on December 21, marks the traditional transition from winter into spring.

Hundreds of people will parade through the streets with lanterns specially made to reflect the passing of time.

They will then congregate on the beach and burn the models they spent so long making.

The event is organised by community arts charity Same Sky.

Community and volunteer co-ordinator Sharon Mee said: "The first director of Burning The Clocks wanted to make a celebration of saying goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one.

"Burning clocks seems quite anarchic but it's quite a sweet way of doing it really.

"Participants have a free reign on what to base their lanterns - as long as it has a clock on it.

"One section of the show this year, for example, has three ice queens representing the past, present and future.

"One year it didn't run because of a lack of funding and on another we moved it to New Year's Eve to join in with the council's celebrations. But we wanted to have it on or near the solstice."

Up to 300 people have created about 160 lanterns for the parade.

Dozens of families have created small pyramids to house candles, while the more adventurous have created huge masterpieces.

The majority are made from willow covered in a special watertight tissue paper.

Students from Sussex Downs College, Lewes, were finishing off their works yesterday.

Charlotte Tofield, 17, from Hailsham, built a dragon-shaped lantern.

She said: "Our class based our themes on myths and legends, which are tied to time and the past.

"Some of the designs are based on demons and gargoyles you might find on churches.

"It took about five days in all to build. We started designing on Monday and got down to work that afternoon. It has been really enjoyable and good fun."

Sophie Elliott, 18, from Eastbourne said: "My design started out as a phoenix and then it looked like a cat for a while but it is now a devil. I really like it but it will be quite good fun to see it burn."

Freelance artist Warren Haigh, who has been helping the pupils, said: "This is throwing the kids in at the deep end.

"I don't know if they have tackled this sort of medium before but it's good for them to focus on one thing for a whole week."

But he added: "If you like your lanterns it can be difficult to burn them."

The parade will pass along North Street, Ship Street and East Street before arriving at Madeira Drive.

Observers can watch the final display from the upper promenade.

The event is funded by Brighton and Hove City Council's family leaning fund, the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and sponsors such as Amex.