Crowds turn out for Margate's sea blessing by Greek Orthodox Church

The blessing was took place on the beach at Margate Credit: ITV

Crowds lined the seafront in Margate this lunch-time for a special ceremony within the Greek orthodox calendar.

A congregation of bishops and priests from the Greek Orthodox Church paraded through the town for Margate's annual 'blessing of the sea' ceremony.

Michael Papadopoullos, president of Margate's Greek Community, explains that it's part of his church's epiphany celebrations:

The ceremony ended with a rather chilly dip in the water for one boy, as you can see in Abigail Bracken's full report. It also includes an interview with the Mayor of Margate, Cllr Robin Edwards.