CHARLOTTE Lillington has been capturing Brighton and Hove with her camera for almost a decade now.

Ever since she arrived in the city to study eight years ago, she has been snapping its eclectic streets and colourful characters.

But, this year, the latter half of the city’s usually vibrant make-up has been missing - its people.

This has not, however, stopped the 26-year-old from catching the city at its most bewitching.

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There have even been some benefits to taking her camera out during this silent summer.

Charlotte, who lives in Hove, said: “Now it’s quiet I have noticed things which I wouldn’t normally see.

“A different piece of street art, new places or an independent business I hadn’t noticed before.

“In a weird way, it’s nice. It’s peaceful and you can spot new things.”

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But she did say she feared for the state of the independent businesses, which give the city so much of its vibrancy, once the lockdown was lifted.

“It’s a bit worrying,” she said,”To think what the city will be like after this, if some of the independent businesses do not survive.”

Her favourite places to take photographs are Brighton’s prized shopping areas such as The Lanes and the North Laine area.

She said that these, combined with the city’s seafront location, made Brighton and Hove “the best place to photograph”.

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Charlotte said: “I think it’s a combination of the street art, the shops, the cafes and the sea views that makes it so special.

“I love East Street because you look one way and see its shops and the city, but then at the other end you have a sea view.

“It’s beautiful, especially when the sun is setting.

“No matter what the season is, there is always something to capture in Brighton and Hove.

“There’s always something new around each corner, even in these quiet times.

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“Brighton is not a massive place but I’m always coming across streets, beautiful streets, that I had never noticed before.

But, with people stuck in their homes as the coronavirus lockdown rumbles on, much of Brighton’s quirky architecture goes largely unseen.

Though lockdown measures may have been eased slightly last week, vulnerable people such as those aged 70 and above or suffering from underlying health conditions are still being urged to remain housebound.

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So, Charlotte began posting her pictures of the city’s empty streets on her Instagram account, @brighton.streets, to share them with those who were missing some of their favourite places.

She said: “People that are stuck at home can have a look at some streets that they miss and connect with them again.”

  • 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