Shoppers thronged a pedestrianised shopping street as former boxer Chris Eubank declared it officially open.

Some traders in George Street, Hove, had complained about the work to pedestrianise the street, but most welcomed the boom in business after Saturday's reopening.

Mr Eubank said a few words to the crowd before declaring the street open.

At Boots opticians, staff dressed in Wimbledon-style tennis whites and strawberries were served to customers.

Shirley Waller of Boots said: "Everyone has balloons outside their shops and some are offering discounts. It's nice to see people making an effort."

Staff at Age Concern also dressed up to mark the occasion. They chose a Chinese theme and held a mini-market outside the shop.

Liz Cherry, who manages underwear shop Contessa, said: "It has been very quiet since the work started so it's about time something brought the business back."

Simon Fanshawe, chair of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: "This has been a difficult set of changes for the traders in George Street.

"It hasn't been an easy ride, but they have weighed up the advantages and disadvantages and have shown great generosity in backing the final scheme and putting their businesses behind it."