PICTURES show Brighton streets were virtually empty, on a day which would normally see hundreds of people out celebrating the annual Children's Parade.

The traditional kickstarter event for Brighton Festival, which has been cancelled because of coronavirus, was instead held in people's homes and gardens with many pupils dressing up and holding their own mini-parades.

READ MORE >>>THE CHILDREN'S PARADE IN LOCKDOWN

But the brighter weather did attract more members of the public to the seafront in Brighton and Hove.

Groups could be seen playing cricket and other ball games at Hove lawns, while dog-walkers, runners and cyclists took to the seafront for daily exercise.

The Argus: Hove Lawns saw more people exercising in the sunshine today, with some playing gamesHove Lawns saw more people exercising in the sunshine today, with some playing games

Today Brighton and Hove City Council reiterated its plea for residents to stay at home during the lockdown and to maintain a two-metre social distance.

The council said in a tweet this afternoon: "Continue to play your part in the fight to save lives.

"Stay at home. Only go out when absolutely necessary and keep a two-metre distance.

"Doing this is the single most important action you can take to reduce the spread of the coronavirus."

Sussex Police continued to patrol the seafront in an effort to deter people from congregating. 

Some gathered in the shelters along the seafront and rested on benches.

The Argus:

In a police briefing earlier this week, Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner said the majority of fines given out to people flouting social distancing rules have been given to tourists visiting the South East.

DCC Shiner said Hove Lawns had been identified as a hotspot for people ignoring Government guidelines.

She said: "In the same way we would do in relation to normal policing, we understand where our hotspots are and we do targeted patrols.

“Local knowledge, more than anything else, means our officers and our Police Community Support Officers know where these are.

“Hove Lawns, the seafront, beauty spots such as Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon, are places which people would go to.

“We are putting additional patrols in those places.

“By and large, that’s reflected in relation to where we are issuing the fixed penalty notices.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving.org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund.