About 400 walkers helped raise thousands of pounds to support people living with dementia and their carers.

The walkers, accompanied by former England Rugby Sevens captain Ollie Phillips, took part in a memory walk on Hove Lawns in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, raising about £30,000 in the process.

Participants took part in either a 2km or 8km route along the seafront, encouraged by the sounds of a live samba band and opened by Brian Fitch, Mayor of Brighton and Hove.

Former Brighton College student Mr Phillips walked in tribute to his grandmother Audrey Skinner, who lived in Hove for most of her life and died last year after battling dementia.

He said: “Losing my grandmother to dementia was really difficult, but it has been good meeting other people who understand what it’s like to be in that situation.”

The charity said figures show that by May next year there will be 3,000 people living with dementia in Brighton and Hove.

Cindy Trafford, 53, from Hove, walked with three generations of her family in support of her mother, Win Cooper, 83, who first showed symptoms of dementia 14 years ago and now lives in a care home.

She said: “We had such happy childhoods – she was and still is the best mum in the world. Although we aren’t sure if she knows who we are now, she always smiles when we turn up.”