The centrepieces of an artistic trail around twin north Norfolk towns came in useful this morning.

For windbreaks were just what was required at the bright - and breezy - launch of the 2012 Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival windbreak trail.

A clutch of artists showed off their handiwork on Cromer beach - whetting people's appetites for arguably the best ever trail at the towns prepare for their third festival.

Chairman Tony Shipp said: 'If the rest of the windbreaks are as good as these, there's going to be a brilliant trail. The standard is so high.

'The use of people's imaginations is amazing. And I think interest in the festival is growing. The sandwich trail is an excellent addition this year. Some of the cafes and restaurants have already run out of voting cards.'

Artists, schools, community groups and shops have been busy decorating 50 windbreaks, which will be stationed in Cromer and Sheringham and further afield.

The windbreaks follow on from last year's successful decorated deckchair trail - and the painted crabs and lobsters of 2010's first festival.

The majority of the windbreaks feature a crab and lobster as part of the design and people can follow the trail, spot a symbol at each location and enter a prize draw.

Leaflets will be available in tourist information centres and at windbreak locations.

The Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival runs from May 18-20. The trail will remain in place until July 18, when the windbreaks will be removed and prepared to be sold off at the grand charity auction, which will raise money for the Fishermen's Mission and other local charities.

The festival also features a sandwich trail. People can sample special sandwiches and other snacks at cafes and restaurants in Cromer, Sheringham and other places in north Norfolk and give them marks out of 10.