A giant butterfly, dragonfly and ladybird have fluttered into Norwich to spread the word about a special festival celebrating the Norfolk Broads.

The Broads Outdoors Festival kicks off tomorrow and aims to encourage people to have fun discovering everything the waterland has to offer.

Today and tomorrow the trio of giant insects are visiting The Forum as part of a taster event showcasing the array of festival activities people can get involved in - and among the attractions at the festival preview are a Norfolk dinghy from the Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust, an array of canoes from The CanoeMan, and angling and pond-dipping demonstrations.

Broads Authority press officer Hilary Franzen, who has been dressing up as the dragonfly, said: 'The Broads Outdoors Festival is designed to give people a taste of all that the Broads has to offer - it is a wonderful, magical playground for people to explore and the festival has over 100 events for people to get involved in.'

The festival is being launched on Saturday with a lively day of music, activities and family fun at Whitlingham Country Park. The festival runs until May 20.

Visit the Forum tomorrow from 9am to 5pm to find out more about the festival or go to www.outdoorsfestival.co.uk

The Evening News' sister paper the Eastern Daily Press is a media partner for the festival.

Are you involved in an event celebrating Norfolk? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk