This morning saw thousands of children dance through the city in a dazzling display of colour and sound.

More than 5,000 children took part in the annual Children's Parade, which marks the official opening of Brighton Festival, from schools across Brighton and Hove.

Inspired by guest director Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s chosen theme of “Dream Again”, artists from community-led arts maestros Same Sky collaborated with students, teachers and volunteers to make magnificent sculptures, choreograph dance routines and compose parade chants.

Gnomes, fairies, sleeping sculptures, jellyfish, Salvador Dalis, sheep, a flying pig and an orangutan could be seen among the throngs of participants winding their way through the streets.

The parade set off from Jubilee Street at 10.30am before making its way down North Street, through the Lanes onto the seafront and finally ending at Madeira Drive.

The parade has been running for nearly 30 years and organisers say it is the largest of its kind in Europe.