Lanterns lit up the city centre as an ever-popular ceremony to mark the winter solstice made its way to Brighton seafront.

Fashioned into buildings, boats, clocks and more, the hundreds of lanterns made for an awesome sight in front of crowds of spectators.

The annual Burning the Clocks ceremony's theme this year was ‘Urbano - The City’ and lantern-makers took inspiration from Brighton's Dome as well as further afield, including Tower Bridge and the Eiffel Tower.

Among the participants last night were Alex Kelly, 12, and her father James Kelly, from Seaford.

Mr Kelly said: “We saw it last year and it was great and we thought, ‘how do we do that?’ Then we saw on the website we can get the kit, so here we are.

“We like the community feel, and the drums, bonfire and fireworks.”

In Pictures: Burning the Clocks

Most taking part made their lanterns at home using kits from organisers Same Sky, the community arts charity that founded the free ceremony 21 years ago, to mark the end of the year and the shortest day without religion or commercialism.

Starting in North Street, the ceremony went to the seafront and then along to Madeira Drive, with lanterns due to be burned in a bonfire on the beach as The Argus went to press.

Also taking part was Lucy Derek, 17, and fellow art students from Uckfield, who had designed their lanterns around famous architecture.

Miss Derek said: “It took a couple of months to put together because we had to go through the whole process of looking at different buildings. Mine is influenced by Frank Gehry.”

Local artist Patrick Bullock, 51, meanwhile, was dressed as the city at Christmas, wrapped in white to depict froth from the waves.

He said: “It is an amazing event that brings the whole of Brighton, young and old and from all walks of life, celebrating together.

“I have never seen so many people smiling and having such a good time. People have really taken it to heart.”

Mr Bullock was also collecting for Same Sky, as the event relies heavily on donations.

He added: “If people don't help with donations, it might disappear.”