Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival got off to a cracking start, with hundreds turning out to see local chefs in action at an open-air cookery theatre, browse more than 50 stalls and sample locally-produced food ranging from artisan bread, to pickles and preserves.

Eastern Daily Press: Retired fisherman William Cox demonstrating the art of a crab pot-making in the main marquee Photo: KAREN BETHELLRetired fisherman William Cox demonstrating the art of a crab pot-making in the main marquee Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Other attractions included music from north Norfolk groups the Seaside Strummers and the Old Wild Rovers, a crab lucky dip, displays from the Marine Conservation Society and the East Coast Pirates, magic, comedy and a Punch and Judy show from Razz and Auntie Pearl and Rollo the Clown and fringe events including a lighthouse trail around the town and a gardening festival at North Lodge Park.

Festival-goers also had a chance to try their hand at crab dressing at a stand run by Julie Davies, of Davies Fish Shop, with a heritage marquee boasting displays by Paston Heritage Society and the Friends of Cromer Museum, a rope-making demonstration by Des and Liz Pawson, from Ipswich, a mini cinema showing films charting Cromer's fishing heritage and a gansey knitting demonstration by Rita Taylor, of Saxthorpe.

Eastern Daily Press: Rope-making with Des and Liz Pawson Photo: KAREN BETHELLRope-making with Des and Liz Pawson Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Retired fisherman William Cox, who ran a crab pot-making stand at the event, can trace his Cromer fishing roots back hundreds of years.

'When you say Cromer, people think of crabs, but it is much more than that,' he said. 'What is nice about the festival is that there is so much for people to see, it is great for youngsters, it is really good for the town and people have been coming to Cromer as quick as they were going to Windsor for the wedding.'

Eastern Daily Press: Browsing the 50-plus stalls at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLBrowsing the 50-plus stalls at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

A performance by local band Tom, Dick and Harry in the main marquee at 6.30pm completes Saturday's line-up, with events at Evington Lawns continuing on Sunday, when Sheringham will also be joining in the festival fun from 11am, with a food trail around the town, music from the Sheringham Shantymen, fishing heritage displays and stalls along the promenade.

District councillor Hilary Cox, who, with former Sheringham mayor Noel Gant, has been joint president of the event since it was first held seven years ago, said the royal wedding had put festival-goers in a good mood.'

Eastern Daily Press: The Seaside Strummers entertaining visitors to the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLThe Seaside Strummers entertaining visitors to the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

'It has got off to a wonderful start,' she added. 'The weather is nice, the headlines are happy and it is nice for the Crab and Lobster Festival to share in that.'

For a full programme, visit www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk or the Sheringham festival Facebook page.

Eastern Daily Press: The Seaside Strummers entertaining visitors to the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festivall Photo: KAREN BETHELLThe Seaside Strummers entertaining visitors to the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festivall Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Tucking into some local fare in the heritage marquee Photo: KAREN BETHELLTucking into some local fare in the heritage marquee Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Have-a-go crab dressing at the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLHave-a-go crab dressing at the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Rope-making with Des and Liz Pawson Photo: KAREN BETHELLRope-making with Des and Liz Pawson Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Young festival-goers try their hand at the crab lucky dip Photo: KAREN BETHELLYoung festival-goers try their hand at the crab lucky dip Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: East Coast Pirates Stephen and Melanie Fishpool Photo: KAREN BETHELLEast Coast Pirates Stephen and Melanie Fishpool Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Gansey knitting with Rita Taylor Photo: KAREN BETHELLGansey knitting with Rita Taylor Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Young festival-goers try their hand at the crab lucky dip Photo: KAREN BETHELLYoung festival-goers try their hand at the crab lucky dip Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Browsing the 50-plus stalls at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLBrowsing the 50-plus stalls at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLCromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Artisan bread on sale at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLArtisan bread on sale at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Browsing the 50-plus stalls at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELLBrowsing the 50-plus stalls at Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Joint Crab and Lobster Festival president Hilary Cox sporting a Cromer-themed hat Photo: KAREN BETHELLJoint Crab and Lobster Festival president Hilary Cox sporting a Cromer-themed hat Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)