Everyone enjoys a good splash about but there wasn't a bath in sight as hundreds took to the sea for a paddle-round-the-pier event.

Beds, tents, a bouncy castle and even an industrial crane were used as floats in the annual event around Brighton's West Pier this weekend.

The beach festival has been a feature in Sussex's summer schedule for more than ten years.

Started by a small group of surfers, it is now recognised as one of the country's largest water-based charity events - with canoes, kayaks, dinghies and swimmers joining surfers and colourful rafts on a lap of the dilapidated pier.

Dave Samuel, paddle director, said: "The sheer amount of stuff happening is incredible. It started as just a bunch of surfers raising some money for local charities.

"It has now developed into this huge, huge event with something for everyone.

Considering the awful weather we've had recently, the amount of people we've had turn up is a real credit to Brighton.

"I think we've probably had about 5,000 to 6,000 people come through this year. It has been a real success and hopefully we've made a lot of money for charity - that's the main thing." The Rockinghorse Appeal - which raises money for the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital - the RNLI and SurfAid International, were the main beneficiaries of this year's festival.

Teachers John Bickmore, Kim Davidson-Leech and Barbara Flitton, of Downs View Link College, Brighton, sailed a raft that included a tent, map and sleeping bags.

Mr Bickmore said: "It was so much fun last year we came to do it again. We were desperate for a theme.

"We were going to be a garden patio but we ran out of wood and we ran out of time so we've come as Carry On Camping instead."

Tara Herlihy, of Danehill, near Haywards Heath, said it was her second time paddling her surfboard around the pier. She said: "You can't always go surfing in Brighton so you don't really meet a lot of other surfers.

"It's just nice to see everyone coming down and having a good time."

Chris Osman, of Seven Dials, and his friends from Team Slutty Shark, dressed in coconuts and grass skirts and rounded the pier on a "desert island" raft.

Mr Osman said: "Everyone gets involved and there's a real home-made element."