King's Lynn will be celebrating International Hanse Day on Saturday with a packed programme of events and activities to showcase the Hanseatic links.

There are 182 cities in 16 countries which make up the modern Hanse. Each year, they celebrate their Hanseatic heritage and their involvement in the modern Hanse network.

By the 13th Century King's Lynn was one of England's foremost ports. The town attracted merchants from the Baltic, Hamburg and Lubeck.

This year's Hanse Day celebration centres on Hanseatic food and culture. The day will begin with a Hanseatic Guided Walk which starts from the Custom House at 11am.

Borough council leader Nick Daubney, who is the english commissioner for the League, said: 'It is important that we celebrate our Hanseatic links and recognise the important role the former league played within the town. International Hanse Day is a real opportunity to draw attention to King's Lynn's rich history and heritage.'

At Marriott's Warehouse and Hanse House, food and East European treats will be available between noon and 4pm. This will be accompanied by performances of Medieval, Tudor and Renaissance music by the King's Lynn Waites. The Bank House will be running a beer festival from noon until 4.00pm, serving bottled beers from Hanse Countries, including beers from the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia and Russia as well as Russian vodka and German Schnapps, all accompanied by free Hanseatic nibbles.

The Market Bistro is organising a small market with their suppliers and will be providing samples of the restaurant's in-house cured and smoked produce, which will take place on the Saturday Market Place between noon and 4pm.

A concert with music for string orchestras and solos by J.S. Bach, Greig, Telemann, Holst and Vaughan Williams will take place at All Saints Church, starting at 5pm. Denver Mill, based within the Hanse House, is organising a medieval banquet in the Merchant's Bar at 7pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance.