White doves were released as a symbol of peace during the annual Blessing of the Seas at Margate.

The 45th annual ceremony on Sunday (Jan 11) once again highlighted the strong links between the people of Thanet and the Greek and Cypriot communities.

The colourful annual event began with a service conducted by Archbishop Gregarios of Thyateria and Great Britain at St Michael the Archangel, the Greek Orthodox Church, at Westbrook. It was followed by a procession led by the East Kent Pipe Band. The parade included mayors from across Kent and dozens of dignitaries who walked along the main Canterbury Road at Westbrook to the seaside.

The gathering at the sands was attended by representatives from the Greek consulate and the Cypriot ambassador to the UK. They watched as Nicholas Holmes, 11, from Herne Bay - covered in oil to guard against the biting cold - plunged into the icy waters to retrieve an ornate cross, an act symbolising the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan.

The event was organised by Zack Charoux, president of the Greek community. The blessing was followed by a lunch for 260 people at Margate Winter Gardens.

During his speech at the lunch, Margate mayor Cllr Brian Sullivan presented Archbishop Gregorios with an olive branch, cut from a bush in his garden, to symbolise peace, unity and love. At the blessing the Archbishop had handed out sprigs of rosemary as part of his blessing.