Coastal Currents gets underway today and as part of the month-long annual festival galleries all over Hastings and St Leonards will be showcasing the work of local artists.

As well as this there was a return of Late and Live event in Hastings town centre with late-night shoppers being entertained by an array of weird and wonderful acts on Thursday.

Crowds flocked roumnd a dramatic Dragon Heart Beat - a smoking, bass-thumping dragon made from hubcaps and laughed at the Ladies of the Waves - the world's only dry-land synchronized swimming.

There was also The Dinner Party - a roving table handing out lessons in etiquette; a surreal live show called Le Grand Peepshow and last, and a Wildman - a neandertholic caveman roaming the streets of Hastings.

Other highlights of the festival include a performance of Fair Maid of the South East - a barnstorming tale of pirates, romance and misunderstanding on the high seas - inside the grounds of Hastings Castle. This takes place on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6 and starts at 7pm on both evenings with a 2pm performance on the Saturday.

The newly revamped St Leonards Gardens is also hosting a play with an abridged version of Shakespeare's comic tale of duped and doped lovers A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 at 7pm on both nights.

The Old Town is also getting in on the act, with The Electric Palace holding a Gay and Lesbian Film Season.

For more information on Coastal Currents and to find out what is going on each day visit www.coastalcurrents.org.uk or ring 01424 451154.