The smell of eucalyptus rose into the air as an Aborigine visiting Sussex lit a fire of hope.

Isabell Coe, a campaigner for the rights of Aborigines in Australia, built a sacred fire for peace and justice in a ceremony at Brighton seafront.

About 80 people gathered to watch at the Peace Statue on the boundary of Brighton and Hove yesterday.

Surrounded by Mayor of Brighton and Hove Harry Steer and schoolchildren from St Andrew's Junior School in Hove, Ms Coe spread ash over the fire to the sound of a didgeridoo.

Wearing a ceremonial cloak of gold, red and black, she told how the ceremony was part of a trip across Europe in her role as ambassador for the Aboriginal Tent Embassy of Australia.

She said: "We are spreading this message far and wide. We represent all Aboriginal people everywhere and want recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty in Australia.

"We are fighting for the survival of our people. Lighting these fires is a very old ritual and this is our way of making the ritual accessible to all."

Ms Coe, from Canberra, Australia, formed the Aboriginal Tent Embassy from a row of tents in 1972.

She lived in them for five years before embarking on her trip across Australia and Europe in 1997.

She said: "I arrived in the UK three months ago and have lit fires at many places, including Dover, Wales, Land's End, Glastonbury and Deptford.

"I have been involved in this demonstration for more than 29 years and have an obligation to carry on.

"I believe the world, especially now, is hungry for peace and justice. We need to stop wars everywhere."

Coun Steer lit the fire with a box of matches and said he was honoured to be present.

He said: "This is a fire for truth and justice, for people who have been exploited and not had their full rights since the white man landed in Australia."

About 30 pupils from St Andrew's clutched eucalyptus leaves as they formed a circle around the fire.

Teacher Lydia Samuel said the eight and nine-year-olds had been very interested in the event.

She said: "We had a languages week before half-term and have done a lot of work about different cultures. The children have all made copies of the aboriginal flag for today.

"This will all add to their learning."