Local clergymen led the annual Blessing of the Sea ceremony last night outside the Hastings Lifeboat station.

Hastings is one of the few coastal towns that still celebrate this once widespread custom of Blessing the Sea. Originally the ceremony would have been held in Rogationtide which falls between the Monday and Wednesday before Ascension Day.

Last night the interdenominational service saw the attending clergymen performing the service from the deck of the Lifeboat. Sea-themed hymns were sung accompanied by the Salvation Army Band and a collection was made for the local Lifeboat crew.

Among those attending the event were Hastings Mayor Nigel Sinden and his deputy James Bacon.

The ceremony has been taking place for more than 100 years. The traditional ceremony blesses the Lifeboats, local fishing fleet and boats from Hastings, along with all that go to Sea and those who have lost their lives at sea are remembered. For a town so dependent on the sea it is a very emotional event for many of those attending.