Brighton celebrate Premier League promotion with bus parade along sun-drenched seafront

Brighton celebrated their promotion to the Premier League with an open-top bus tour along the seafront.

Seagulls fans lined the sun-baked streets in their thousands as the convoy travelled from Brighton Palace Pier to Hove Lawns, where manager Chris Hughton and his players were paraded in front of the crowd.

Hughton told Sky Sports News HQ: "It's a wonderful scene, not just for us as a club but for Brighton as a city.

"I have to say they've been like that all season. If we thought they were good last season when we got close, well, they've been even better.

"I think it's a real appreciation of what this group of players have done for them, how much they've enjoyed watching this team and they've turned out in their thousands."

Hughton will now prepare his side to survive in the Premier League next term, starting with improving his squad in the summer transfer window, and Sky sources understand they are interested in Fraizer Campbell on a free transfer.

Hughton said: "I do think it's getting tougher because that gulf between the championship and the Premier League is getting bigger because of the money involved.

"I think what we have to do is look at the likes of Burnley and Bournemouth and Watford, who have been able to stay in the division and look at the consistencies they have.

"I certainly don't think you can change too much. You have to add quality, which I think we have done over the past few windows, but you have to keep the bulk of what you've done well in that division."