The streets were ablaze with light and colour as hundreds of revellers celebrated the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes' failed attempts to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

With flaming torches and banners held high, members of Sussex bonfire societies paraded through the streets.

Crowds of residents flocked to Saturday night's celebrations in Newick and Littlehampton.

Sheila Graysmark, of West Point, Newick, watched with her husband, Melvyn, daughters Alex, 20, Emma, 19, and 14-year-old son Adam.

Mrs Graysmark, 47, said: "We have been every year for the last 18 years. Each time you wonder how they are going to top it but they always do."

The Newick bonfire celebrations made the record books in 1999 when the society made the world's largest Catherine wheel with a diameter of 83ft. In Littlehampton, a flamboyant parade of Aztec indians, Tudors and belly dancers made its way from the bonfire society's headquarters in Maltravers Road to the seafront.

Big Brother runner-up Eugene Sully, from Crawley, waved to crowds from an open- top Mercedes.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the war memorial in Beach Road before torches were lit and hoisted into the air.

Richard Cooper, secretary of the Littlehampton Bonfire Society, said: "Where else can you go and see such a fantastic spectacle? We had pipe bands, nine steam engines, a 30ft high bonfire and hundreds of people from societies around Sussex dressed in everything from Spanish costumes to medieval outfits."

Mr Cooper, who has been taking part in the processions since the age of nine, said he hoped the street collections had raised more than £8,000.

He said the only disappointment was the strength of the wind on the seafront which meant some of the biggerfireworks could not be let off.

Susan Dyball, of Meadow Way, Littlehampton, watched the parade and fireworks with her husband, Councillor David Dyball, the mayor.

Mrs Dyball, 58, said: "We could not have hoped for a better evening. The weather was beautiful and there were masses and masses of people. The costumes were all wonderful and the steam engine parade was one of the biggest we have had. The whole event was fantastic."