As the rest of England fixed its gaze firmly on the men in white, one village was an explosion of colour.

While King David and co demolished the Danes, families in East Preston, near Littlehampton, dressed up as royalty throughout the ages for the annual carnival procession.

The turnout for the procession was a little lower than organisers had hoped for because of the World Cup clash with Denmark.

But scores missed out on witnessing the England team's exploits to watch their neighbours parading themselves in a host of fabulous costumes.

Majorette group The Wicketts were joined by the Explosion Dance Troupe performing a dazzling display of dance as the procession snaked its way through the streets.

Jazz band Phoenix provided the toe-tapping tunes to ensure the day went with a real swing.

Doug Medhurst, chairman of East Preston festival committee, said: "It was all very well received.

"We were a bit thin on the ground but no one cancelled. The floats were all of an excellent quality.

"We decided not to have a theme because it allowed people to choose more easily what they wanted to do.

"There was a good range of floats and they were very colourful."

Organisers have already arranged the dates for next year's festival and procession, which will run from June 9 to 15.