Kicking off with the BBC South East Deckchair Tour on Friday evening, the local news bulletin came from the pavilion terrace as did interviews with town figureheads.

The corporation also recorded a series of radio interviews, and were joined by the Bexhill 100 Motoring Club with a collection of classic cars.

The weekend continued with the DLWP Circus School performing a new show on the terrace in the sunshine on Saturday lunchtime. In the evening, about 250 people turned up with their blankets to watch the Oscar winning Spirited Away projected large on the wall.

On Sunday, a variety of bands performed live – including Mercury Prize nominees Portico Quartet.

Bad weather moved the groups into the auditorium, before an improvement in conditions saw them perform on the bandstand.

Pavilion officials say the strong turn out led to a festival atmosphere around the building.

A spokesman said: "The galleries were busy, the demand on the café and bar was non-stop and the restaurant was full. The film Riding Giants made the 600-odd crowd gasp at the endeavours of the surfers – made even more spectacular by the fact that it was on such a large, outdoor screen.

"Even the grey Monday weather didn't stop people rounding off the day dancing on the terrace. Thank you to everyone for braving the weather and making the pavilion such a great place to be this weekend."