A BLAZE of colour and all the swing of the 1940s burst into the street and onto the catwalk.

Models showing off vintage glamour and the latest trends appeared among crowds of shoppers in East Street, Brighton, in a flash mob on Saturday.

A choreographed routine to the Olly Murs hit Dance With Me Tonight attracted a cluster of around 200 and many followed the models back to the Jury's Inn Brighton Waterfront Hotel to watch a free fashion show.

Mayor of Brighton and Hove Lynda Hyde opened the event at the former Thistle hotel before 12 models took to the floor of the atrium to show off the host of spring and summer collections.

Brighton traders including Gresham Blake, Rock Lobster Boutique, Bluebelle and Co, Hobbs, Cambridge Satchel took part in two catwalks attracting around 400 people.

Hair was styled by Ciscos Karma, make up by bareMinerals and Gemini Print sponsored the event and handed out goodie bags. Runners and dressers included fashion students and shop staff.

Model Sasha Kanal, 42, of Hassocks, said: "It was really good fun and a great turnout. It's great to wear clothes I wouldn't normally choose. For example the drop waist in some of the outfits was something I wouldn't normally have picked but it was really lovely."

Michelle Scott's shop Pretty Eccentric, in Bond Street, Brighton, returned for another year to take part in the event.

She said: "This was an excellent event. We showed off our occasion wear through the eras from the 1920s to the 1950s. The models walked down the catwalk to 1940s swing music which added another dimension to the show."

A raffle took place to raise money for the Martlets and a new giant snowdog sculpture was shown off for the first time.

Stylist and personal shopper Jane Busby has been organising the event for the last three years.

She said: "The whole event went really well and I've had some really good feedback. It was great to raise money for The Martlets and show exactly how many great outfits there are on our high street. It rained just as we were meant to start our flash mob but then the sun came out and the routine attracted a crowd of people back to the fashion show."