Families made the most of the sunny weather at a string of festivals and shows across East and West Sussex.

Organisers breathed a sigh of relief as the rain stayed away and people were able to enjoy the first sunshine in a week.

In Hurstpierpoint, villagers enjoyed the annual fair and procession. They were treated to Abba lookalikes and a trio dressed as the Golden Girls.

Hurstpierpoint Brownies dressed up in Sixties outfits with plenty of flowers and bright colours while Brighton Silver Band played to the crowds.

A James Bond impersonator also dropped by, dressed in a black suit and accompanied by one of his many Bond girls.

Children and adults were fascinated by a display of maggot racing at Newhaven Lifeboat fete.

Alan Brothers, a member of the Newhaven and District Lifeboat Society, said: "There was a board divided into slots and a maggot was put in each slot.

"Everyone then bet on which one would crawl to the end first. It was quite slow-going but sometimes you got a supersonic maggot."

Former EastEnders star Paul Moriarty opened the fete and even joined in the tug-of-war.

Mr Brothers said: "He really got stuck in. It was a very successful event. We were blessed with the weather."

Families enjoyed a model boat display organised by Pulborough-based Southwater Dablers, a penalty shoot-out and a dancing demonstration by South Downers' Line Dancing.

Fete organiser Louise Thomas said: "We hope to have beaten last year's record of £4,000. We were wondering whether to cancel earlier in the week because of the weather but we have been very lucky."

All cash raised will go to the RNLI.

In Southwick, almost 90 different charity stalls squeezed on to the green for its 19th charity fair.

Charities from across Sussex came to the village to raise money by offering a range of attractions and games from coconut shies to tombolas.

Organiser Beryl Ferrers-Guy said: "It was a complete success because the weather was so good and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

"It was tremendous. The Macmillan nurses were thrilled when they raised more than £700."

Mrs Ferrers-Guy said she hoped next year's fair would be an even bigger success to mark the event's 20th anniversary.

She said: "We are hopefully going to join with the Southwick Square event, which will be celebrating its 40th year."

In Uckfield, residents joined in the fun at the town's annual festival where attractions included stilt walkers and a science circus.

There was also an Anglo-French market and a poetry parade in which primary school children pinned their poems to boards before walking round with them and reading their contributions out loud.

Spokeswoman Cheryl Brown said: "It was hugely successful. This festival was the third one I have done and it was by far and away busier than the last two.

"We had people staying from 8.30am to 5pm.

"The science circus was amazing. They were a group of circus performers including trapeze artists and tightrope walkers.

"They were performing but they also managed to turn it into a story about science."

Miss Brown said organisers estimated at least 1,000 people attended the festival.

Money raised would go towards paying for the event next year and into other community projects.

Residents in Littlehampton were treated to a double dose of fun with an open day at the fire station and the annual carnival procession.

Children were given the chance to watch a puppet show, ride on a fire engine or have their faces painted.

Freda Hughes, president of the carnival association, said: "The weather really was very kind to us.

"We had lots of entertainers, clowns and stilt walkers, a Punch and Judy show and a marching band.

"In the evening bands came from all over the country to take part in the procession.

"There was a massive fanfare for the finish and we crowned our carnival queen. All the money raised will go to local youth projects."