ROADS in Brighton town centre were closed today for the opening event of the town's annual festival.

Thousands of people were expected to line the route of the children's parade, starting in Madeira Drive.

Traffic was barred there, in New Road, in East Street and Castle Square and at the Kings Road/East Street junction.

This year's parade theme was Tunes And Tales, with classic stories illustrated through costumes and giant carnival constructions.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.