Political mover and shaker Norman Lamb found himself moving and shaking to a different beat when he clashed sticks and shook hankies with North Walsham's Weavers' Morris team.

Health Minister and North Norfolk MP Mr Lamb went along, dressed in suit and tie, to officially open The Shoe Shop, in North Walsham's St Nicholas Court precinct on Saturday morning.

But before he could cut the ribbon, he was ambushed by the morris side who were performing around the town to celebrate Christmas.

In borrowed baldricks - the crossed straps worn over a dancer's chest - and festive hat Mr Lamb gamely gave it his all and joined the dance.

He then performed the shop opening ceremony, still wearing his morris regalia.

The new shop, owned by Len and Ann Bullimore, employs staff who were made redundant when the Market Place Stead and Simpson shop closed at short notice last month after trading in the town for more than a century.

Mr Lamb said the staff had been through a very traumatic time and the opening of the new shop was the best Christmas present they could have been given. He thanked Mr and Mrs Bullimore for stepping in and urged everyone to support the venture.