A bumper crowd of between 8,000 and 10,000 people enjoyed an antiques and vintage street market and midsummer street party in Harleston.

Organisers of the two events, which took place on Sunday in Harleston, said the numbers attending exceeded their expectations.

Cindy Debenham, a member of the Events Group, said: 'We were overwhelmed by the response. It is the first time we have held a Street Market and we did not know if people would come and support it. The rain held off and the people just kept coming, thousands of them.'

Performers on the day included music students from Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston, The Inspectors street performers and Mr Rags with Bonesy, his puppet pony.

In the evening, there were performances from the local bands Folk Soul Brothers, Eva Black and the Ceilidh Capers, who appeared in front of 1,000 people.

There was also a performance by 15-year-old Archbishop Sancroft students Jake and Jack, who performed a set of Bluegrass, spirituals and Woody Guthrie numbers.

Harleston historian Gordon Lascelles believed the numbers attending had set a new record for the town.

He said: 'I doubt if there have been as many people in Harleston since the last Hospital Sunday event in 1906 and it may well exceed that record.'

Support for the event came from many organisations including South Norfolk Council, Norfolk County Council, Harleston Town Council, Creative Arts East, the Apollo Rooms, Neil Bomford Trucks, Archbishop Sancroft High School and the local bands.

Are you organising a community event? Email dominic.bareham2@archant.co.uk