More than 2,500 children are preparing to open one of England's biggest festivals.

Youngsters from 60 primary and secondary schools, youth clubs and groups in Brighton and Hove will don colourful costumes for the Children's Parade tomorrow, the first day of the Brighton Festival 2002.

This will be the 13th year the Children's Parade, produced by arts company Same Sky, has been performed and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

This year's theme is Paradise Gardens and for the past three months groups have been creating fantastic outfits.

Sharon Mee, project manager for Same Sky, said: "New groups that participate each year always get artist support. This is time spent with Same Sky to help design, make and run workshops with teachers, parents and playworkers.

"This year, for the third year running, Carnival Collection has provided a workshop for teachers to run school samba bands.

"It will be a day not to be missed."

The parade will start in the North Laine at 10.30am and make its way to the seafront.

It will gather at the bottom end of Trafalgar Street before moving on to Sydney Street, Kensington Gardens, North Road, Gardner Street and Church Street before entering the Pavilion Gardens through the North Gate and leaving through the India Gate, then on to North Street, East Street. It will then cross the A259 and head down to the seafront.

Events company Positive Sound System will welcome the parade at the seafront with a lively mix of carnival music.

More than 300,000 people are expected to flock to Brighton for the festival, which runs from tomorrow until May 26.

The parade is just one of the events on the opening day. Luminarium: Levity, an elaborate bouncy castle with coloured inflatable tunnels and rooms inside, will also be on display for people to enjoy.

Alan Parkinson, owner of Architects of Air which produces the display, said: "It stimulates the senses in ways adults have often not felt since they were children."

Luminarium is being set up on the Cafe Lawn at the Pavilion Gardens tonight and will be there until Monday, from noon to 6pm. Tickets cost £4.

Find out more about the Brighton Festival at thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/leisure/festival