Now in its 80th year, the annual Broadstairs Dickens Festival kick-starts today.

Today, the Grande Parade will take place at 1pm, from Pierremont hall at the top of the High Street to Victoria Gardens, overlooking Viking Bay.

People dressed as the characters which inhabited Dickens' most famous novels, as well as those in period dress, will parade the streets this afternoon.

Once at Victoria Gardens, there will be a welcoming ceremony, costume competition and an address from guests including actress Vicki Michelle MBE from 'Allo 'Allo.

The festival, launched in 1937 to mark the centenary of Dickens' first visit, will continue its traditionally busy programme until Friday, June 23.

There'll be a whole host of events throughout the week, including bands, readings and a beach part/picnic.

A full programme of events can be found at broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk and are widely available at shops in the town.

It was started by Gladys Waterer, a resident at Dickens House in the 1930s. It was launched with a staging of David Copperfield, and publicised by people in Victorian dress around Broadstairs.

Apart from during the Second World War, the festival has been held annually in the third week of June ever since.