Crowds flocked to watch kitesurfers take to the sea - but a bid to create the largest parade of kiters was cancelled due to bad weather.

Up to 30 kiters took part today in the third annual, three-day Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival off Hayling Island,  which ends tomorrow.

Among those who staged a demonstration were the Bridge family, from Exmouth, Devon, who wowed crowds with big jumps and tricks on their kitesurfing foil boards.

Others who passed on their knowledge during the festival included professional kitesurfer Lewis Crathern who famously jumped over Brighton Pier in 2010.

Mr Crathern, a former British kitesurfing champion, said: ''This is such a good opportunity for the kitesurfing community to come together.''

Event organisers had hoped to stage the largest parade of kitesurfers but an unfavourable wind forecast forced its cancellation.

Simon Bassett, head of water safety, said: ''The combination of the wind direction and the fact it is too light and offshore, sadly makes it unsuitable for the record attempt.''