Because the highlight of the eagerly anticipated Family Fun Day will be a soccer tournament on a grand scale, featuring human table football.

One of the most exciting competitive games to emerge in recent years, this huge inflatable version of the classic pub game is played with real people.

Other attractions at the event, which starts at 1pm on St Lawrence School Field in Trinity Road, will be a traditional Punch and Judy show, hip-hop dancing and a display by local stage school Top Hats and Tutus.

Entertainment around the village will also be provided by Hunters Moon Morris from Eastbourne.

Other events during the first week of the festival, which runs until September 27, include a series of medieval banquets at The Fig Tree Restaurant and the world premiere of a new play about scientist Charles Darwin, 'Collapsing Creation', at the Players' Theatre.

Throughout the week there will be an exhibition of historic photographs of the village in Holy Trinity Church, many of which have not been publicly displayed before.

The Festival website is also open for bookings at www.hurstfestival.org
Tickets can also be purchased from The Mint House Bookshop in Hurstpierpoint High Street.