Slideshow: Thousands enjoy Norfolk Gala Day

More than 15,000 people flocked to the Norfolk Showground today for the new look Gala Day.

Crowds came along to enjoy the mix of live events including, marching bands, dancing, stunt displays, fair ground rides, and old car rally.

Formerly the Norfolk Police Gala Day, police chiefs axed the event last year after 31 years - deciding it no longer represented value for money.

But organiser Steve Thacker, who had been involved with the event in its previous guise, said the new look gala had proved a great success.

“Today has once again demonstrated that the people of Norfolk have taken the Gala Day to their hearts,” he said. “There's been a good crowd and what makes it such fun, isn't just the people who come, but the people who contribute.”

Mr Thacker said that future Gala Days were likely to be themed around a transport theme because of its popularity with car clubs and rally car enthusiasts.

And he said he was hoping to turn it into a two-day event.

“Next year we are hoping to have a bigger marching band, and we are discussing whether we can do something over two days, and may be have a firework display and music events,” he added.

Ron Sayer, from North Walsham, who had come along with his wife Charlotte and children Jasmine, seven, and Jadon, six, said it had been a great day.

“We came here because Jadon was interested in the Star Wars club, but we've been on a helicopter ride, ridden a horse and Jasmine enjoyed the dancing,” he said. “It's been great and I didn't realise there was so much to do.

Alan Miles, 37, from Eaton in Norwich, brought his daughters Olivia, 5, and two-year-old Evie.

“It's been a good day, there's a good mix of things for the kids to do, they've been on the trampolines, and the rides and the bouncy castles,” he said.