A BUS filled with ukulele players, surfers and paddleboarders celebrated the launch of Paddle Round the Pier.

The big event, which raises money for charity and is now in its 13th year, will take place over the first weekend in July.

Brighton and Hove Buses will be running special routes to and from the event, which is held on Hove Lawns.

Rob Pellin, from Paddle Round the Pier, said: “Paddle is about showing our appreciation for our magnificent coastline and helping to protect it through fundraising and education.”

The event will see more than 500 people, of all ages, taking part in various sea swims. They will range from the “junior events” to the 3.8km “iron man swim”.

The legendary “Big Paddle”, in which hundreds of people make their way around Brighton’s West Pier, will be held on Sunday.

For people who do not feel like getting wet, there will be plenty of entertainment on Hove Lawns.