Two hundred people who have undergone open heart surgery took to the streets of Great Yarmouth yesterdayto celebrate life.

Members of the Norfolk Zipper Club, which takes its name from the scar left on the chest of each and every person who has open heart surgery, paraded along Golden Mile, from Britannia Pier to the Pleasure Beach, to raise money for Papworth hospital in Cambridgeshire and raise the profile of the unique support group.

Chairman Robin Cushing, who underwent a triple heart bypass at Papworth - a specialist cardiothoracic hospital, in 1996, said the atmosphere was electric.

'There was dancing in the streets - it was fantastic,' he said.

'We made the Zipper Club a little more high profile and we had fun doing it.

'We signed up some new members and, hopefully, raised money as well.'

The club has so far raised �94,000 for Papworth and wants to hit the �1million in 2012 when it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

For more information on the club and how it can support patients through and after major heart surgery visit www.norfolkzipperclub.org.uk.