Lifeboat station saves the day for Cromer Carnival

Carnival Princess Isla Harwood is all smiles following her appointment as her Prince Connor Reynolds smiles for the camera. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

The annual appointment of the festival's Prince and Princess is traditionally held on the pier forecourt.

But, with windy weather in danger of disrupting proceedings, this year's event was moved inside to the RNLI boathouse nearby.

Ten-year-old Connor Reynolds, from East Runton, and Isla Harwood, aged nine, from Cromer, will play a starring role in this year's festivities after being appointed Prince and Princess following the ceremony on board the station's lifeboat, Lester.

READ MORE - Top class: North Walsham student to lead 2017 Cromer Carnival

The final boys line-up congratulate the Prince on his appointment. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

They were chosen from more than two dozen boys and girls, from school years 3 to 6, who entered the competition.

It's not the first time Connor's family have played a starring role at the Carnival. His mum Anna Pegg won the Bonnie Babies competition in the summer of 1983.

She said: 'I am very proud. We've always been involved in the Carnival. It's for the children and they like the games during the children's week.'

The royal party to lead this year's festivities will be complete following the competition for Junior attendant - for children in school years 7 to 11 - at The Cottage Freehouse, Louden Road, Cromer on Friday, May 12, from 7pm.

More than 20 girls and seven boys from school years 3 to 6 took part in this year's competition. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Entrants must live within the areas of Cromer, Suffield Park and the Parishes of Aldborough, Aylmerton, East and West Runton, Felbrigg, Hanworth, Northrepps, Overstrand, Roughton, Sidestrand, Sustead, Thorpe Market and Trimingham and be available for all events.

Thanking the lifeboat station for coming to their rescue on Sunday, Carnival chairman Tony Shipp said: 'It's quite unique for us, obviously the weather dictated proceedings. We couldn't really have gone on the pier forecourt this afternoon so thanks to Richard Leeds, the operations manager at the RNLI; he allowed to come into the boathouse - and this is definitely a first for Cromer Carnival.

'It has made a super backdrop and I think everyone has enjoyed it.'

This year's Cromer Carnival will be run from July 31 to August 18.

Princess Isla Harwood with the top three girls. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Among the highlights this year will be the return of The Red Arrows on the main Carnival Day - Wednesday, August 16.