Hundreds of girls from across Norfolk have launched a year of celebrations marking the 100th birthday of the Brownies during an adventure-packed weekend in Skegness.

Around 2,500 Brownies, aged seven to 10, came together from across the East of England to take part in the fun-filled Starburst weekend from January 3-5 at Butlins in Skegness.

More than 200 Brownies from across Norfolk took part in the girl-only extravaganza – which was the first major event of 2014 to mark the Big Brownie Birthday – kicking-off months of celebrations involving thousands of Girlguiding members up and down the country.

Over 20 Brownie groups from Norfolk attended the event including the 1st Loddon Brownies and the 5th Thetford Brownies.

The girls tried their hand at a range of activities including archery, circus skills and street dancing.

They were also entertained by former X Factor contestant Sam Callahan during a huge celebration party on Saturday night.

Sisters Amy Hudson, nine, and Milly Hudson, seven, from the 4th North Walsham Brownies, both attended the celebration.

Amy said: 'The whole weekend was really fun.

'My favourite thing was the swimming because I went on the really big slide that went outside the building, I had to sit on a blow up dinghy that was slippy so went really fast.'

Milly added: 'My favourite thing was the street dancing – I love the freestyle bit, it was amazing. I also really loved the moves we did and the place we did it.

'I enjoyed the party on the last night because of the special visitor, Sam Callahan from the X-Factor.'

Organiser Sue Beswick, Girlguiding's assistant county commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: '2014 marks a huge milestone for our Brownie section and this one-off event launched the Big Brownie Birthday with a real bang.

'Starburst was an unforgettable weekend for the girls and I hope the memories of fun, friendship and adventure will stay with them for a lifetime.'

Brownies is Girlguiding's section for girls aged between seven and 10. They take part in a hugely varied weekly programme incorporating everything from stargazing, world issues and science to abseiling, canoeing and zip wiring.

For more information about the Big Brownie Birthday and how to join Girlguiding– the UK's leading charity for girls and young women– go to www.girlguiding.org.uk.