Record crowds were singing in the rain as they celebrated Pride 2002, the UK's biggest free gay festival.

Pride In Brighton And Hove kicked off in flamboyant style with a parade through the city centre.

Despite heavy rain and thunder, organisers claimed there were at least 50,000 drenched revellers.

The weather failed to stop the colourful festival for gays, lesbians and transgenders from turning into one of the year's biggest parties.

Traffic in the centre of Brighton ground to a halt as the procession made its way from Madeira Drive to the festival arena in Preston Park.

Those performing on stages included gay icon Petula Clarke.

Although conditions were atrocious, organisers hailed the event a massive success and said it would have been even bigger if the sunny weather had held out.

Paul Wilde, who produced Pride, said: "It was a very well organised event by the Pride Committee. It took a year to do.

"A big thank you must go out to the police and Brighton and Hove Council as they were very helpful.

"The parade was great. All the tents and other structures managed to hold up, even through the torrential downpours.

"There were no accidents to report and all the local residents were very supportive.

"We were obviously a bit disappointed about the weather. It's bound to put a bit of a dampener on proceedings.

"Even so, 50,000 people turned up, which is at least the same as last year.

"We're not disappointed in the slightest as the sun managed to come out later on."

The event attracted young and old, gay and straight. The police and organisers said that the crowd were impeccably behaved and there were only three arrests all day.

Organisers quickly cleared most of the mess from the park.

Mr Wilde added: "We had 60 men working on the park to make sure it was back to normal. There is still some repair work to be done but it is simple enough."

Brighton and Hove Council also loved the festival and can't wait for Pride 2003.

A council spokeswoman said: "Despite the heavy downpour, Pride 2002 has been declared a big success.

"Everyone had a really good time and we fully expect the event to be staged again next year.

"Because of the heavy rain, only the small equipment and vehicles were moved on Saturday. The heavier vehicles were moved on Sunday.

"It was really muddy, but we put down lots of fibre matting, so we expect any damage to the turf to be minimal and any that is damaged to repair very quickly.

"The litter was no problem and was cleared up straight away."

Police praised the crowd for a trouble-free Pride. Officers were seen smiling and joking with revellers and their easy-going attitude was a big hit.

They even had recruitment stands on the park.

A spokesman said: "The parade and carnival was considered a success although the weather meant that the event at Preston Park was subdued.

"The parade itself took place in bright sunshine.

"Unfortunately, as the parade reached Preston Park the weather changed and people started to leave early as thunder delivered a deluge of rain.

"There were only three arrests and they were for minor offences."

Not everybody was happy with the festival.

London Road and Preston Circus were clogged with traffic and it took drivers more than an hour to get into or out of the centre as traffic built up.