‘Brilliant’ time at Littlehampton festival despite the wind

Lashing rain during the early hours of Sunday combined with whipping winds to nearly bring the festival to its knees, said organiser David Coppin.

Dozens of traders and groups, which had agreed to turn out for the event, pulled out at the 11th hour on Sunday, because of the weather.

Gusts also affected events on the River Arun, with the Offshore Racing Drivers’ Association having to withdraw the high-speed powerboats from the water over mounting worries for the racers’ safety in the turbulent sea.

David said: “I have to laugh now because I can’t do anything else.

“All of our 30 market stalls pulled out and, honestly, I can’t blame them. There’s no way they would have managed to pitch up the stalls in the wind.

“We also had the Harley-Davidson motorcycle group cancel at the last minute because of the weather.