This year's Crab and Lobster Festival has kicked off in style with a musical extravaganza and host of activities.

A variety show at Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre took place last night hosted by television and radio personality David Whitely and also featuring The Sheringham Shantymen, rock band, Backdrafts and cabaret performer Pat Nearney.

There was also a youth theatre performance at The Little Theatre in Sheringham.

On Saturday there was also a performance on Cromer Pier forecourt from singer and songwriter Paul Thompson, who next month is driving a milk float on a gig tour taking him from Swaffham to Edinburgh, where he will perform at the Edinburgh Festival.

The main festival site on Saturday and Sunday is the Evington Lawns in Cromer, with numerous stalls offering a taste of everything from cookery demonstrations, heritage exhibits, crab dressing and a giant fish tank.

On Sunday in Sheringham there is also live music, performances from morris dancers and crab shell painting.

Festival chairman Tony Shipp said: 'We have had a good steady flow of people and there has been an even spread of events. The Evington Lawns is an ideal location as it is enclosed and there is room for all the stalls and marquees.'

Festival presidents Noel Gant and Hilary Cox were busy on one of the stalls in Cromer on Saturday helping make and serve crab sandwiches.

Mr Gant said: 'We had a really good start with the concert on Friday night, I would say it was the best we have had.'