BRIGHTON beach came alive with the sound of music for one of the oldest traditions in Sussex.

Hundreds of people packed the seafront yesterday for an open-air service to mark the blessing of the nets.

The event outside the Fishing Museum in Kings Road Arches was filmed for a special edition of BBC TV show Songs Of Praise.

The historic ceremony was revived about 20 years ago and in recent years has become a key Brighton Festival event.

Families joined members of local choirs and the Worthing Salvation Army Band for hymns and a taste of the year's first mackerel catch.

Canon Michael Butler led a traditional prayer to bless the nets of local fishermen before the mackerel were collected from a large fishing boat which arrived off the beach.

He said: "People always look forward to this day. In essence it is very much a community event. The church, council and all the traders come together and it takes over the seafront."

The service was part of the Mackerel Fair, which continued into the afternoon with a barbecue and entertainment from bands and morris dancers.

Guests included Coun Andy Durr, who helped set up the fishing museum, Brighton Festival artistic director Christopher Barron and Admiral Sir Lindsay Bryson, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex.

Coun Durr said the event marked Brighton's ongoing commitment to fishing. He said: "We have the biggest fleet in Sussex and nearly 700 people are employed in it. This is a celebration of both the modern and old fishing industry."

The 35-minute Songs Of Praise special, which will also feature interviews and highlights of Brighton Festival, is due to be shown on June 20.

It was presented by former Blue Peter favourite Diane Louise Jordan, now a regular on the show.

She said: "I love going out and about meeting people. Songs Of Praise is normally held in a church, and this is a sign that summer is coming."

During the service, members of the pressure group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals dressed up as mermaids to protest against fishing, which they see as inhumane. They also distributed leaflets to the crowd.

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