ONE of the oldest traditions in Sussex forms the centre piece of a day of celebrations during the Brighton Festival.

The annual Blessing of the Nets and Mackerel Fair takes place at Fisherman's Hard, between the piers, from 11am tomorrow.

A short service of prayers and fishermen's hymns will celebrate the year's first catch of mackerel in the town which remains an important fishing centre.

Later a more secular

party will take place on the beach with entertainment, dancing, music and other celebrations.

Boats from the local fishing fleet will come in with the catch of mackerel, which will be barbecued and distributed from trestle tables.

Brighton has a thriving fishing industry and a quarter of the Sussex fleet operates out of the area.

The Mackerel Fair takes place on the same day as the Dieppe Market.

Suppliers of French produce will set up their stalls in Bartholomew Square from 8am.

Here they sell fresh vegetables, bread and patisserie, charcuterie, wine and cheeses, crepes cooked before your eyes and a huge variety of other ingredients typical of the Normandy region.

Locals arrive early as this is always a hugely popular event and many of the stall-holders sell out by noon.

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