UP TO 100,000 Albion fans poured into Brighton and Hove to watch their heroes parade along the seafront in an open-top bus.

The promotion procession began at 5pm but celebrations were under way well before lunch time as the sun came out and the city was swamped in a sea of blue and white.

Crowds lined the streets the length of the seafront, whistling, cheering and blowing horns as they waited for their first glimpse of the players.

The cavalcade of six buses set off from near Concorde 2 and headed along Madeira Drive to Hove Lawns only a little behind schedule.

They were heralded by a group of mods on glittering scooters draped in Albion flags and beside them walked scores of police and stewards. Behind them were four police on horseback.

The lead bus carried the players, with Bruno and Anthony Knockaert in prime position at the front, waving at the adoring crowd.

Family and friends, staff and directors, and Brighton and Hove city councillors filled the others.

Chanting supporters cheered them on their way, waving blue and white flags to the sound of horns blasting.

This was their chance to celebrate the Seagulls’ hard-fought promotion to the Premier League – and they savoured every moment.

Huge crowds were waiting at Hove Lawns to welcome the players, coaches and manager Chris Hughton on to a giant stage.

Albion season ticket holder Paul Bristow, 44, from Brighton, said: “After 34 years of waiting to get back into the Premier League it is an immense feeling to witness this parade today.

“We stand a good chance this year and chairman Tony Bloom has looked after this club so well to build an elite club and grow fan support.

“This is a day I will remember for the rest of my life and all of the fans showing appreciation for the players and the club as a whole is what today is all about. We are going up and we could not be more ready for it.”

Supporters gathering on Hove Lawns were able to watch live coverage and interviews throughout the parade on two large TV screens in the fan zones.

Carl Bennett, 28, from Shoreham, said: “The fans have all been absolutely phenomenal and what a turnout today with such great weather.

“We have been through a lot to get here over the years and to hear the celebrations and see how happy the players and coaches are on top of the bus is just amazing.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us who have backed Albion all the way this season.”

Council leader Warren Morgan invited players, coaching staff, club chairman Tony Bloom and the board of directors to a civic reception at Brighton Dome before the parade began.

Andy Naylor, chief sports reporter at The Argus, was on the bus alongside Albion’s Premier League heroes.

He said: “The atmosphere on the bus is absolutely unbelievable.

“The players and staff are thoroughly enjoying themselves after their trip to Las Vegas.

“We weren’t expecting quite this many people. This time last week after missing out on the Championship title the atmosphere was a lot different but now spirits are as high as they could possibly be.

“What a memorable day for the club and its fans.”