Thousands expected for Burning the Clocks parade

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Brighton for its annual Burning the Clocks parade which will culminate in a beach bonfire.

Anticipating wet and windy conditions, organisers have advised people to layer up and dress appropriately but said the event would go ahead.

High winds have forced the cancellation of the Brighton Winter Fayre, which had been scheduled to take place this weekend.

Robert Batson, from community arts organisation Same Sky, which puts on the winter solstice event, told BBC Radio Sussex 1,600 people would be taking part in the in parade, with thousands of lanterns.

The event, now in its 30th year, costs up to £45,000 to put on and last year saw crowds of nearly 30,000 lining the streets.

Mr Batson said: "It's got more and more massive, last year was biggest ever for attendees."

The parade will start at about 18:00 GMT in the centre of town, with Mr Batson saying the top of Madeira Drive would offer good views of the fireworks and bonfire.

The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and organisers of the Brighton event say it provides "an antidote to the excesses of Christmas".

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