The elegant strains of soprano arias and songs from the musicals could be heard at Norwich Market today.

Soprano Rebecca Newman entertained shoppers visiting the city's market and the World Village Market, which was set up along Gentleman's Walk and Brigg Street.

The 31-year-old has sold more than 10,000 CDs, been featured on both ITV1 and BBC One, on regional BBC Radio, has sung at The Royal Albert Hall, Headingley Stadium and at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End.

She said: 'Alongside my professional engagements I like to bring music out in the street and do little outdoor performances.

'I've helped to raise �8,000 for Childline so far and it helps to get me known.

'I also like the generally cheer everyone up in the middle of this horrible economic recession.'

The recently-married singer will be performing again tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am to 2pm, weather permitting.

The market features a host of food and craft stalls, including French cheeses, a German barbecue, Thai noodles and curries, Spanish paella, Greek olives, Turkish baklava.

Saeed Moharrami, of Delta Foods, said he was hoping the weather would stay nice over the Easter weekend and bring people out into the centre of Norwich.

He said: 'Our olives are fresh from Greece and we get them in early every morning, because they often sell out on the stall by noon.

'We have a small bakery at our shop in West London and everything, like our baklava, is freshly baked and then delivered in the morning.

'The cost of petrol is making it hard and products are more expensive then they were before, but we try to keep prices low.'

Kirk and Jill Little, from Attleborough, came into the city without realising the world market was taking place, but took the opportunity to browse the stalls and buy some focaccia bread.

Mrs Little said: 'I think it's a fabulous idea.' Mr Little added: 'It's nice to have so you can buy something foreign and it's something a bit different.'

The market will be open from 9am to 6pm tomorrow (Saturday) and from 10.30am until 4.30pm on Easter Sunday and on Easter Monday.