A pier which cost millions to restore and the annual Jack In The Green celebration attracted thousands of visitors to Hastings.

Hundreds of morrismen and women from all over the country gathered in the town yesterday to pay homage to Jack In The Green.

It was thought to have been the biggest turn out since the custom began in the 19th Century.

Jack in the Green symbolises the spirit of summer.

The celebration began with a massive garland of leaves and flowers, accompanied by chimney sweeps, being carried through the streets to Hastings Castle where the morris dancing began.

More than 15,000 people flocked to Hastings Pier to see how it had been transformed. Hundreds gathered at the gates before Friday's opening and a cheer went up as they swarmed on.

New shops, which took the place of the old amusement arcades, reported good trade while live music, morris dancers and displays of boats and classic cars kept visitors entertained.

Nuria Stuart, president of Mundial Invest SA, the company which bought the pier, was delighted with the reaction of the crowd.