Hundreds flock to the Mart for the 814th annual funfair

The West Norfolk Mayor, Carol Bower, enjoying the Mart at King's Lynn after the official opening. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

With a huge array of rides and attractions, the Mart promises days of fun for young and old during the half-term break.

Hundreds of thrill-seekers descended on King's Lynn's Tuesday Market Place for the official opening of the The Mart today.

The West Norfolk Mayor, Carol Bower, enjoying the Mart with the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Rev Jonathan Meyrick, at King's Lynn after the official opening. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

It was opened by West Norfolk mayor Carol Bower who was one of the first, along with other dignitaries, to have a whirl on the dodgems and bumper cars.

'The Mart is a sign of ancient King's Lynn,' she said. In addition to the conventional fairground rides the Mart brings dodgems, hook-a-duck, rings and blocks and jumping frogs.

The West Norfolk Mayor, Carol Bower, enjoying the Mart with the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Rev Jonathan Meyrick, at King's Lynn after the official opening. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Thursday, February 15 is family discount day, where most of the rides will be £1.

MORE: 10 things you might not know about the Mart

Carrie Russell at the Mart in King's Lynn with her daughters Laura and Samantha Brasted and grandchildren Koby Brasted and Esmae Wilson. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Taz Ali)

Alan, 70, and Linda Wright 68, have travelled from Newark in Nottinghamshire for their yearly trip to Lynn. Mr Wright said: 'We just love Norfolk, we come up here five or six times every year. We used to come to the Tuesday Market Place years ago when the marquee was here.'

Carrie Russell, from North Lynn, said she has been coming to the Mart for as long as she could remember.

Teresa, Kimberley and Aaron Mahoney winning big at the Mart in King's Lynn. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Taz Ali)

She was joined by her daughters Laura, 29, and Samantha Brasted, and grandchildren Koby Brasted, 9, and eight-month-old Esmae Wilson. 'I was born and bred here,' she said. 'I now come with my kids, it's a good day out for the family.'

Kimberley Mahoney, 15, uses the Mart as an opportunity to showcase her competitive side, as she is seen with an armful of toys and prizes from her wins on the hook-a-duck.

'They are the easiest to win prizes,' she said. 'It brings out the competition in everyone.'

She said she grew up in Lynn with her mother Teresa Mahoney and brother Aaron, 11, but currently live in London. She added: 'It is a good day out.'