The Gods provided a crashing prelude as a dramatic early-morning electrical storm crashed through the Sussex sky.

But a few hours later, nature's sound and light show was a distant memory thanks to a host of spectacular sets from the cream of the charts.

Preston Park in Brighton was transformed into a sea of smiling faces as, one-by-one, some of the most popular bands in the world stormed the giant outdoor stage for the county's biggest free pop concert.

Most party-goers had prepared for the worst with umbrellas and plastic sacks to ward off the downpour threatened by the looming clouds.

But as Intenso Project burst on to the stage to the throes of their top 10 hit Luv Da Sunshine, the sun burst through and the 80,000 revellers started to party.

Next up, Atomic Kitten raised the temperature with their gyrating dance moves to their cover of Blondie's The Tide Is High.

The sassy Mis-teeq girls slinked through a polished R'n'B performance, sharing their dazzling smiles with the crowd.

Thrilled, Alesha left the stage with the words: "None of us would be here now if it wasn't for you lot. Thank you Brighton."

Those crazy Transylvanians The Cheeky Girls wiggled their way through trademark hit Touch My Bum as their ever-watchful mother looked on from the side of the stage.

Adoring fans were delighted when afterwards, they spent at least 20 minutes chatting and signing autographs.

Singer/songwriter Daniel Bedingfield stirred up the crowd with his energetic and enthusiastic performance, provoking more screams as he left the stage to stroll among the front row.

A tired-looking Ashley Hamilton, who is breaking into the UK music scene, gave security a moment of concern when he started climbing the stage scaffolding in a moment of excitement.

The rock singer explained: "I've been up all night. I've just flown in from Germany. Brighton have been a great crowd."

Former S-Club 7 singer Lisa Scott Lee proved she had the potential to make it on her own shedding her girl-next-door image with a sizzling new look as she sang her debut solo single, Lately.

The sexy Sugababes were a highlight with a flawless performance, which showed how far they have come in terms of music and live performance even though they are still teenagers.

Billy Crawford stole the hearts of hundreds of teenage girls when he leapt off the stage and ran up and down among the crowd, hugging and kissing several of the screaming fans.

Hear'say star Kym Marsh performed her hit single, Cry.

She told fans afterwards: "Jack Ryder, her Eastenders star husband and the kids aren't here today because he has taken them to his mum's in Eastbourne for her birthday. They wanted to see their nanna."

Jennifer Ellison, showed Scouse soap Brookside is not the extent of her talents with a performance of her debut cover single, Baby I Don't Care.

Blazin Squad wowed the crowds with their energetic bad-boy style before the crowd went wild for Girls Aloud.

The Pop Stars: The Rivals winners performed their catchy debut number one single, Sounds of the Underground and some tracks off their new album.

Former Spice Girl Mel C valiantly battled microphone problems to sing her latest hit, Here It Comes Again.

But it was Busted who brought the house down.

The screams went off the scale as bras, knickers and teddies rained on to the stage from teenage girls who had been waiting all afternoon to hear the sensations rock it up.

This year's style was definitely dress down with the stars performing in combats or jeans while many of their teenage fans had gone to town to look their best.

Mum Dawn Sorrell, 37, from Portslade, said: "It's been such a lovely day and such a great event to bring the kids to."

James Mitchell, 23, a student at Brighton University, said: "When I heard the thunderstorm in the night my heart sank but it actually turned out alright."

Melissa, nine, from Haywards Heath, said: "I begged my mum to bring me and she said it would rain but it hardly rained at all and she said she had a really good time as well."

Inspector Kevin Claxton, of Brighton police, said: "It's been a great success. We only had about eight arrests, most of which were for alcohol-related offences."

Security staff said the day had been well planned and there were no serious security problems.

thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/pictures