IT’S not often that a low spring tide occurs during daylight hours to give people the opportunity to walk from Eastbourne seafront to the Beachy Head Lighthouse.

Saturday afternoon was one such occasion and more than 1,200 walkers joined in the trek.

The annual Lighthouse Challenge, now in its fifth year, is organised by Eastbourne AM Rotary Club and this was by far the highest number of people to take part.

Organiser Martin Wellings said: “There had been some concern because of the recent cliff falls at nearby Birling Gap.

“But Saturday’s walk was just amazing.

“I have never seen so many people walking to the lighthouse.

“It was a wonderful community event and the atmosphere was just great.

“We will be looking to build on this next year. We had valuable support from so many different groups.”

Walkers taking part said it had been a great success.

Eastbourne photographer Judy Colbran enjoyed the walk with her family.

She said: “It was a great walk and such fun. We all really enjoyed it.”

Retired Sussex police chief Royce Hipgrave said: “We had a lovely time.

“It is something so very different for the family to do, it was a great experience.

Rotary district governor Brenda Parsons had travelled from Kent to take part.

She said: “I have spent the morning in the Isle of Sheppey pulling pints for charity and driven 70 miles to be here.

“I wanted to see what a great experience it is.

“It’s a wonderful community event.”

The walk started in 2011 when owner Trinity House decided not to re-paint the famous Beachy Head Lighthouse and allow it to slowly fade to its original grey granite colour.

This was because the red and white stripes were no longer required to aid navigation.

A fundraising campaign was launched to raise £45,000 and work on the painting began in September 2013.

Some of the money was raised by staging the walk.

The times have to be precise to taker maximum advantage of the small window that allows people to walk around the lighthouse and return before the tide turns at sunset.

Mr Wellings said: “It is staggering to think how the walk has expanded over the years.

“People pay an entry fee.

“Some of that money goes into s fund so the lighthouse can be repainted again in the future.

“The rest goes to very worthwhile Rotary charities.”