The population of a historic Sussex town burst into smiles after turning out in force to pose for a unique millennium photograph.

It brought ancient Arundel to a halt as more than 2,000 people thronged the High Street as Moloney leant out of a rooftop window.

The legendary Fleet Street cameraman was drafted in by old chum William Hall for the first big millennium event to be staged in Britain.

Everyone living in the town was invited along for the photo.

It will go on sale to raise money for charity and the idea is likely to be taken to other towns throughout Britain.

Mr Hall directed operations with the help of a loudhailer and a whistle.

As Moloney started clicking he shouted to a crowd ranging from a duke to a clown: "Say Gorgonzola!"

The town photograph was an idea dreamed up by Mr Hall during a night in joint organiser David McElwee's Arundel wine bar.

Mr Hall, an Arundel resident for 35 years, has written biographies of a host of showbusiness stars including Michael Caine, Norman Wisdom and Frankie Howerd.

He said: "It was one of those ideas that came to us when we were in the wine bar on a night when you are either going to change the world or do nothing.

"It has taken a year of planning but it has been worth it."

Moloney, chief photographer with the Mirror Group and a man with 88 awards to his name and a regular visitor to Arundel, picked the best vantage point.

He said: "I thought it was a great idea and Arundel is a wonderful place for something like this to mark the millennium."

The town's great and the good stood in the foreground as Moloney positioned himself in the window of Pallant Wines and Delicatessen which looks straight up the High Street dominated by the walls of Arundel Castle.

As the whistle sounded a wag in the crowd shouted at Moloney: "Hope you remembered to put some film in."

At the front was the town's best known name, the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, who came close to missing what he called "a great occasion."

He and the Duchess arrived in their car with minutes to spare before the 1pm photocall.

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