Summer hymns

The community event will take place every Sunday evening from 8pm throughout June and July, except for July 27 when a United Thanksgiving Service will be held inside the De La Warr Pavilion starting at 6pm.

Around 100 people attended the first session and "joyous singing could be heard from afar" according to organiser Ken Hutchinson.

Ken said: "It went well. We always welcome more but 100 was a good start. The hymns were picked by the Reverend David Frost who always chooses the same one to finish, as he has done for 12 years, which is God Is Surely Coming.

"We always sing it to Land Of Hope And Glory - it fits in well. He always says - you can make a noise at the Prom so make a noise here."

Ken has been involved with the communal hymn singing for 30 years - the event itself started 32 years ago, and was held at the the bandstand until the DLWP rebuild.

It is a joint effort with a mix of Bexhill churches taking part; the next one will be led by the Reverend Stephen Maunder of Sackville Road Methodist.

"People do enjoy it...they just enjoy being together really," said Ken.

"The atmosphere is good, and a variety of churches are represented.

"It is well known and we have had up to last year folk come from

Eastbourne to just take part in it, and then go home again. We certainly still get folk come from Rye now, and there will hopefully be more next week. It has been well attended over the years - folk enjoy it and look forward to it."