Thailand's legendary full moon parties have long drawn visitors from all over the world.

The monthly beach spectacular has become a by-word for debauchery and excess among pleasure-seeking travellers.

And this week, thanks to the internet, an eclipse and some fun-loving students, Brighton hosted its own version of the famous celebration.

Police estimate about a thousand people gathered between the piers to mark yesterday morning's total lunar eclipse.

People came from as far away as London to join the party and watch the eerie spectacle of the moon turning red.

They built fires and passed the night singing and dancing to the sound of bongos and guitars.

The eclipse, which will not be repeated until September 28, 2015, began at 1.43am and ended at 5.09am.

Unfortunately cloud cover meant the revellers could not see the moon itself.

But that did not deter some hardy souls from carrying on the fun until dawn.

Student Ellie Mann organised the event using the social networking website Facebook.

But after sending messages to a handful of friends, she did not expect the overwhelming numbers that turned up.

The self-confessed Facebook addict told The Argus: "It was fantastic.

"We usually go clubbing to Digital. I thought I'd create an event and invite all my friends.

"In all, 7,000 people heard about it in the space of a week."

Ellie, a 22-year-old education studies student at the University of Brighton, created the Facebook group for the event.

She posted a notice which read: "For everyone who will be raving it up in Brighton on the night of the eclipse.

"It will be wicked to try and get as many people as possible on to the beach in between the piers by Digital to drink, play music, smoke and drink!

If enough people turn up, especially the musically talented, we may even end up having the best random' beach parties ever.

"Please network and invite as many people as you know."

By Wednesday night, 1,200 people had replied saying they might come.

Police in Brighton heard about the event and were briefed before their evening shift.

They estimated numbers peaked at 1,000 people, but the revellers themselves believed the figure was closer to 2,000.

There was no violence and no arrests were made.

The party-goers gathered pieces of timber washed up under the Palace Pier to build large bonfires. Firefighters were called out to put out some of the larger fires early in the morning.

A hard core of about 60 people were still on the beach at 6am.

A total eclipse occurs when the full moon moves into the Earth's shadow.