Hundreds of people have turned out to enjoy the entertainment, as the Lowestoft Summer Festival attracts the crowds to town.

Eastern Daily Press: The sandcastle contest at last year's Lowestoft Summer Festival 2016. Picture: Mick HowesThe sandcastle contest at last year's Lowestoft Summer Festival 2016. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

Free activities, music and fun have taken centre stage on Royal Green in Lowestoft, with beach football on the sands south of Claremont Pier, an international food fair in Waterloo Road, Kirkley and an interactive science exhibition at St Mary's Primary School boosting the turnout.

With more than 30 stalls featuring charities and local organisations set up on Royal Green, entertainment runs until 8pm today – with a children's funfair, performers on two stages, a pop-up cinema featuring old East Anglian archive film clips and a Puppet Theatre.

With the Lowestoft's Got Talent contest currently entertaining the large crowds, live music will continue on the main stage after 6pm with Tom Tonks and his band before singer Breeze Redwine entertains.

Despite a brief downpour of rain this morning, as about 240 keen runners – including Waveney MP Peter Aldous – set off on the weekly 5km Parkrun at 9am along the seafront, the rain has held off since with sunshine drawing the crowds.

And it is hoped that more people will turn out with buckets and spages on the south beach at 6pm tonight, as there will be a record-breaking attempt to beat the number of sandcastles built in an hour.

Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: 'It was the first time I have taken part in the Parkrun and it was very enjoyable as I saw Lowestoft at its finest while having some good exercise.

'There was a great turnout and there are so many people here today who have come together to put on this festival. This special event showcases everything that is good about Lowestoft.

'So I would say come along and be part of this very special festival, and make use of the wonderful scenery and the facilities we have here on the seafront.'

The two-day festival continues on Sunday with a range of entertainment once more, including a family sandcastle competition at 11am and the Warrior Walk, which concludes at Royal Green as it is led by Fight the Stigma to highlight mental health issues.