WORTHING is set for a bumper weekend with three major events and a host of family-friendly fun to be had by thousands of visitors.

A community parade, watersports, charity events and an arts trail are among those activities which are sure to bring the crowds to the south coast this weekend.

The biggest event is the Worthing Children’s Parade, which will see hundreds of young people from 24 schools take part in a colourful parade throughout the town on Saturday.

With the theme of Harry Potter, witches, wizards and a host of fantastic beasts will leave Beach House Grounds on the seafront at 10am.

The parade will make its way along the promenade to West Buildings, then head along Montague Street, South Street, Warwick Street and into Steyne Gardens where there is an afternoon of entertainment and stalls.

Road closures will be in place between 10am and 12pm on the seafront and between 10.30am and 12.30pm northbound in The Steyne.

Elsewhere in the town, Worthing Rowing Regatta takes place on the seafront east of Worthing Pier all weekend while Sunday morning will see more than 1,000 runners dress in pink to take part in the annual Cancer Research UK Race for Life (start 11am).

The weekend will also see the start of Worthing Artists Open Houses, with more than 60 venues opening their doors to the public to showcase a range of arts and crafts for three weeks.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins said: “Worthing really is a town on the up and this weekend is just a snapshot of the range of activities that our town offers.”