Whitstable Town’s Wembley winning team will enjoy an open-top bus victory parade through the town centre today (Saturday).

Players, staff and the all-important trophy will make their way through the streets this morning as the club revels in its historic FA Vase win.

The football club hopes to see Whitstable transformed into a sea of red as it begins a day of events back in its home town following last Sunday’s game.

The parade is set to begin on the seafront at 10am - setting off from the Harbour.

The procession is then expected to make its way through Harbour Street, High Street and Oxford Street before finishing up near to Whitstable Library close to the junction with Cromwell Road.

Organised with the help of police and Canterbury City Council, the parade is to allow as many people as possible to join in with the Oystermen’s local celebrations.

Rob Davies, spokesman for the city council, said: "Whitstable Town's incredible achievement at Wembley on Sunday, which was such a historic moment in the club's history, deserves to be properly celebrated.

"Through the Safety Advisory Group with the blue light services, we have been working closely with the club to advise them on how to hold this event in a way that allows as many people as possible to join in the fun and stay safe at the same time in what are quite narrow areas through the middle of town.

"It's great news that everyone involved has come together to make it happen and we hope it's a wonderful occasion where the players and club can bask in the glory they so richly deserve."

More than 7,000 fans made the journey to Wembley Stadium to watch the team become the first Kent side in 25 years to win the Vase, after a nail-biting final against AFC Whyteleafe that finished 2-1 in extra time thanks to a late winner by Ronald Sithole.

Earlier this week, club chairman Steve Clayton said this weekend’s events would be a chance for the club to say thank you to everyone for their support.

He said: “We want Whitstable to share in that glory. That 12th man was really important and it’s a way of saying thank you.”

Following the parade, which is expected to last for around an hour, celebrations will then move to the club’s ground at 11.30am with a special fan event inside the Primcura Healthcare Stadium on Belmont Road.

Here, families will be able to have a photo with the trophy, meet players, collect signatures and watch the presentation of the club’s end-of-season player awards.

Admission to this event is by ticket only - to help the club control and manage numbers and meet safety requirements.

Tickets, which cost £2 each are available to buy in advance from Whitstable Town’s own online ticket platform.

A special commemorative edition of the Whitstable Gazette, our sister newspaper, marking the club’s triumph is in shops this week.