THOUSANDS of people donned their best spooky outfits, put on fake blood and carved pumpkins for a Halloween themed day of fun and entertainment in Southbourne yesterday.

The inaugural Frankenfest event featured a variety of performances, workshops, demonstrations and activities for all ages.

The highlight of the all-day event was the early evening parade.

Around 500 people took part in the dress up procession from Southbourne Green to Fisherman's Walk, with prizes for the best costumes.

Local businesses lined the streets giving out sweets and chocolate treats to members of the parade.

Earlier in the afternoon, Southbourne's Halloween spectacular, which was organised by Southbourne on Sea Business Association with the support of the Coastal BID, featured live music, street performers, arts and crafts, children's entertainment and a spooky feast.

There was also a pumpkin carving workshop, which proved so popular it was out of pumpkins in under an hour.

From 6pm until late into the evening, the festival catered for 'grown up ghouls and ghosties' with more live music from local artists, including Chris Payn and The Mother Uckers.

Event organiser Steen Stones said Frankenfest had exceeded all expectations.

"For an inaugural event, I don't think it could have gone any better," Mr Stones said.

"There was something for all the family to get involved with and from the early afternoon onwards it was busy.

"Across the whole day we had thousands here.

"It's the first Frankenfest and hopefully going forward even more people will get involved and the event will be able to grow.

"I think the event can easily be on the same level as the popular Shake and Stir festival, which we have seen getting bigger and bigger every year.

"We have had a lot of positive feedback and comments from people saying they had a great time.

"The overall response from everyone involved with has been very positive."