Hundreds of people braved the rain to enjoy a packed weekend of events in Sussex.

A street party in Brighton proved to be a huge hit despite the chilly weather, with scores of people turning out.

Brighton's Place to Be chairman Simon Fanshawe opened the event in Mayo Road and also there were MP David Lepper and Brighton and Hove mayor Andy Durr.

Children were entertained by Bodger and Badger and local bands, including Roadhouse and Collective, provided the music.

Other attractions included a barbecue, face painting, head and neck massage and a raffle.

The event on Saturday was organised by the Round Hill Society, a residents' association started last November to foster community spirit in the conservation area.

More than 25 people helped organise the street party, the group's first big event.

It was paid for with grants from Place To Be and Brighton and Hove Council and there is already talk of holding another next year.

Marian Gerrett, treasurer of the Round Hill Society, said: "It went very well despite the weather. There was a really good turnout and we had a thoroughly good time.

"An awful lot of hard work went into it but it was well worth it."

The Kemp Town Carnival on Saturday afternoon was a distinctly low-key affair but there was plenty to keep visitors occupied.

A smattering of rain late in the afternoon was met with an impromptu performance of Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head from the resident band.

While there were only five entrants in the carnival itself, the procession was well received by the crowds.

Stalls selling everything from jewellery to hot dogs kept browsers entertained and pubs put tables and chairs along the pavement, creating a laid back, cosmopolitan feel in St George's Street.

Veteran carnival-goers blamed the relatively poor turnout on the number of events going on elsewhere in Brighton, but one woman's battle to keep a barbecue going despite the wind and rain summed up everyone's determination to have a good time regardless.

Sussex farmers demonstrated against a French market in Haywards Heath by driving tractors around the town.

Angered by the French ban on British beef, local farmers and their families also waved placards with the message "Buy British food" and "British farmers - use them or lose them".

The Broadway, Haywards Heath, was closed to traffic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday while visitors from France sold wine, cheeses, meat and non-food products.

Local farmers are furious that Mid Sussex and Haywards Heath councils supported the market, part of Haywards Heath Town Week, at a time when British farming is under pressure.

Annie Payne, group secretary of the National Farmers' Union, said: "No one wants to prevent ordinary French people from selling their products.

"But while their government continues to maintain its illegal beef ban, we feel it is indefensible for local government, using public money, to promote French products."

A blaze of colour came to Hurstpierpoint as villagers celebrated the historic St Lawrence Fair.

Events included a procession through the village and "Ben Hurst" chariot racing at South Avenue Recreation Ground .

History came alive as Hurstpierpoint 2000 and Hurstpierpoint Parish Council organised an historical pageant in the village church.

Backed by the National Lottery Millennium Fund, the sell-out pageant involved 150 people from 16 groups in the village.

The fair was officially opened by Peak Practice and Drop the Dead Donkey TV star Haydn Gwynne.

The colour and wonder of kites came to Stanmer Park in Brighton on Saturday with the Brighton Kite Festival.

The event was organised by the Brighton Kite Flyers and featured workshops, food stalls and teddy parachute drops.