One of the biggest crowds in years attended the annual RNLI Happisburgh lifeboat day and fete.

Eastern Daily Press: Happisburgh Lifeboat Day included action from the boats as well as live music. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAYHappisburgh Lifeboat Day included action from the boats as well as live music. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK)

Thousands of visitors enjoyed the event at the lifeboat station at Cart Gap.

Eastern Daily Press: Happisburgh Lifeboat Day included action from the boats as well as live music. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAYHappisburgh Lifeboat Day included action from the boats as well as live music. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK)

An emergency intervened ahead of a mock rescue operation that was due to involve the Humber Coastguard helicopter. The crew were diverted to Overstrand to take an elderly woman, who had broken her leg on the beach, to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The exercise went ahead with the two lifeboats, Joan Mary and Spirit of Berkhamsted, and RNLI lifeguard teams.

Happisburgh Lifeboat Station volunteer press officer Philip Smith said: 'The day went very well with a very good turnout. It was the most people we have had in years.

'We had members of the coastal safety team giving out advice.

'Our message is beaches are safe places to go provided you take the necessary precautions.'