The Brighton Fringe had a successful launch party despite a brief interruption from a pair of amorous turtles.

As Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive Penny Thompson gave a speech at the launch at the Sea Life Centre, two turtles decided to get intimate in front of the 500 attendees.

The two offending turtles were a 75-year-old pair of Green Sea Turtles called Lulu and Gulliver and the risqué actions resulted in a big laugh from the crowd.Julian Caddy, Fringe managing director, said: “The turtles put on an impromptu performance that was incredibly fringe.”

The turtles are not well known for their lusty behaviour and the Sealife Centre has assured The Argus that there is no chance of a conception.

Speeches were also given by Mr Caddy and Louise Arnell from The Peeble Trust, the festival’s charitable supporter, who were both uninterrupted by the turtles.

The launch was hosted at the Brighton Sealife Centre and participants and supporters were treated to evening of taster Fringe performances.Performers included the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and the Brighton Synchronised Swimmers who put on a dry-land showing of their piece The Final Frontier.

The Fringe Festival is an open access festival that puts on a spectrum of events and performances from across the arts including music, drama and comedy.

Mr Caddy said: “There is, truly, something for everyone. I'm delighted that Brighton Fringe continues to attract the depth, breadth and quality of work that it does.

“For our part, we continue to work at supporting artists and helping develop careers, including professional advice, financial help and the promotion of work to theatres, events and festivals across the country and overseas.”

The festival runs from May 3 to June 1 and there are so far 720 events confirmed at 186 different venues with over 3,000 different performers.

The launch party also celebrated that tickets are now on general sale from the Fringe Box Office online or by calling 01273 917272.