A pagan group has been awarded thousands of pounds to stage a seafront festival.

Organisers of the Lammas event will receive £4,075 from the Lottery-funded Awards for All scheme.

But church leaders in Eastbourne have condemned the move to stage the festival along the seafront in August.

Cannon Gordon Rideout of All Saints Church, Carlisle Road, said: "My first reaction is one of horror. I can't agree with their understanding of God or spirituality.

"I also thought lottery money was not available for religious groups.

"In a free world clearly people have freedom to do as they will but I am just sad that this is happening.

Last year's festival held on the grass slopes near the Wishtower, Eastbourne, went ahead despite the wishes of the then Tory-controlled Eastbourne Borough Council.

Pagan leaders said they were being discriminated against and vowed to press on with the celebrations despite not being given permission.

This year the festival has received the council's full backing.

Organiser Jerry Bird, who owns the Green Man Bookshop and Gallery, South Street, Eastbourne, said: "This is great news for the festival, the Pagan Circle and for Eastbourne.

"It was hard work putting the application together but obviously worthwhile in the end.

"There is still much to do though. We still need to raise more funds but with the lottery award under our belt and a decent publicity budget we are hopeful of attracting some sponsorship from local businesses."

The free festival will include traditional folk music, morris dancing, puppetry and storytelling.

There will be a craft market and seafront procession.

A ceremony on the beach will mark Lammas, the first corn harvest of the year.

The event finishes with a barn dance at the Winter Garden.