THE friendship links between the people of Thanet and the local Greek and Cypriot communities was again highlighted at the annual Blessing of the Seas.

Three white doves were released as a symbol of peace and the Holy Trinity at the ceremony on the slipway by the Nayland Rock on Margate’s main sands on Sunday.

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. He was joined by the Bishop of Dover at the service.

A procession that included about 100 dignitaries, including some mayors from across the county, paraded along the main Canterbury Road at Westbrook to the seaside.

Charalambos Papadimou, nine, went into the icy waters to retrieve an ornate cross - an act symbolising the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.

The flags of Greece and Cyprus accompanied the union flag to flutter high above the gathering on the recently re-erected falstaff at the Nayland Rock. It was the first official ceremony to be held using the new flagpole.

The event, which began 44 years ago, was organised by Zack Charoux, president of the Greek community. He said: "It was a lovely, happy occasion and underlined the mutual respect between the people of Thanet and the Greek community."

The blessing was followed by a lunch at Margate Winter Gardens.