This year’s event was no different, and perhaps took one step further.

The children’s fun tent featured completely new acts together with the usual magic and Punch and Judy show courtesy of Paul Winter.

But the emphasis during the afternoon was on encouraging the audience to contribute to the Rockinghorse Appeal in aid of equipment for the new children’s hospital. Outside, queues formed in the hot sunshine for the return of Dr Charles Turton’s popular donkey rides.

Brighton Friends also benefited from the proceeds of their tombola and stalls run nearby by hospital staff.