Here’s your chance to meet Norfolk’s resident mermaid in Cromer

Hannah Pearl underwater. Picture: Paul Dale (Image: Paul Dale)

Hannah Pearl, a professional mermaid will be appearing on the pier on July 22 from 11am to 3pm, teaching children and adults alike about marine life, as well as giving them the chance to meet a real merperson.

Miss Pearl said: 'I'm in a competition to become Miss Mermaid UK, as I've already won Miss Mermaid Norfolk. I'll be raising money on the pier for the Marine conservation Society as part of the fundraising challenge for the competition.' Miss Pearl, who lives in Acle said: 'With all the doom and gloom going on in the world I love doing this to spread a little happiness.

'I love being in the sea. I find it so calming and relaxing to be underwater.'

But for Miss Pearl, 35, it isn't all fun and games.

'By 2050 there will be more pieces of plastic in the sea than fish,' she said.

'That's in our lifetime and I think a lot of people don't realise how serious the problem is. By going out and talking to children and their parents I can talk to them about their favourite sea creatures and explain to them what they can do to help save them.

'Small things like picking up their litter on the beach makes a difference, and it's something they can do in their day to day life.'

Becoming a mermaid has always been a dream of Miss Pearl's.

She said: 'I qualified as a mermaid last year when I went to train in the Philippines. and then I came back to Britian and gained a free diving qualification. I can hold my breath for a long time as a result.'

Miss Pearl does have a land-bound job as well, working as a digital marketing manager.

She said: 'I grew up by the sea and learned to swim at a very young age, I always wanted to be a mermaid.'

Miss Pearl will be seated in the entrance to Cromer Pier come the weekend, depending on the weather.

She said: 'Wherever I am, you won't miss me!'