Tourists made the most of the Easter sunshine and packed Worthing beaches.

Despite poor weather at the weekend cutting the profits of some Worthing businesses, many reaped the rewards of the annual influx of holidaymakers.

Hundreds flocked to the coast and town foreshore inspector Ian Miller said: "It was rainy on the Sunday, a bit grey on the Saturday but Friday and Monday have been good days and people are still coming to the beach."

Stephen Oliver, owner of the Marine View Hotel in Marine Parade was delighted at the number of tourists.

He said: "We've been fully booked - it has been a good Easter.

"We had some advanced bookings but we were also taking in people.

"Times are hard at the moment but the weekend was not bad for us."

Hans Volcker, duty manager of the Berkeley Hotel in Marine Parade, said: "We had a wedding on the Saturday which picked up business and we were quite busy but it was really quiet on the Sunday - the weather put people off coming here."

Almar Millar, co-owner of the Cavendish Hotel, Marine Parade, said Easter weekend had been "very disappointing".

She said: "We did let a lot of rooms but it was not the normal amount for Easter time.

"When the weather is bad there is nothing here for people."

However, Michael Wieland, of Nickels and Dimes Amusement Arcade, Marine Parade, said this Easter had been "a big improvement" on last year's, when a seafront fair hampered trade.

He said: "There were not a lot of people down here but it was better than last Easter, when the fair killed us. That was the worst weekend we have had since we've been here."

Meanwhile, shoppers could not help staring as a church drama group re-enacted the crucifixion through Broadwater.

While people enjoyed the hot Good Friday weather, parishioners from five Broadwater churches led the procession along Broadwater Street to Broadwater Green, where a special Easter ceremony was held.

St Mary's C of E Church member Jonathan Stamp donned an imitation crown of thorns and a life-size wooden cross before setting out along the procession route, re-enacting Jesus's crucifixion.

He was escorted by two other parishioners in full Roman centurion dress.

Mavis Whyte, of the Pilgrims drama group, organised the procession and the costumes.

When asked how Mr Stamp managed to carry a heavy cross so far, she said: "What we do is have him stumble, normally outside the chemists, and someone from the procession comes forward to carry it for him.

"The procession includes members of St Stephen's Church, Queen Street Church, Hosannah Church, Broadwater Baptist Church and Oasis Church.

"We forget our differences of doctrine because we realise the importance of Good Friday."

Mrs Whyte, a member of Queen Street Church, said some people were often unpleasant during the Pilgrims' performance but they always soldiered on.

She said: "It's very strange. Some people totally ignore us, as if they see a semi-naked man, covered in blood and carrying a cross every day. Some get a little abusive and sometimes they toot their car horns.

"We just get to the green and pray for the people of Broadwater."

The Pilgrims perform in events throughout the Broadwater churches' calendar.