A town crier was on the end of a surprise announcement yesterday as he was given the honour of crowning the members of the carnival's royal family.

Tony Nelson is used to being the herald at big events.

But, to celebrate his 25th year as town crier, Sheringham Carnival chairman Stuart McClean told the watching crowd that Mr Nelson would take the lead. Hundreds of people watched as he crowned carnival queen Poppy Mabbitt, 19, along with attendants Ashleigh Armstrong, 18, and Sophie Royle, 16. He then crowned prince Lewis Cude, six, and Paris Mullen, seven.

Yesterday was day two of the annual carnival, with events centred on The Leas near the seafront.

There were children's activities and games, music from IDunno, donkey rides, circus skills, dog displays and a 'cheerful children' contest – followed by the carnival tug of war.

Mr McClean said he was pleased with how the carnival was going – particularly the 'fantastic' kick-off on Saturday, when more than 250 Harley Davidson's roared into the town. The parade was organised by Lobster pub landlord Graham Deans with the help of committee members from the Fenlanders Harley Owners Group. It was held informally for the first time last year.

'Because it was so popular, we decided to make it a properly organised event this time,' said Fenlanders member Vinny Vinall.

Harley owners from as far afield as Nottingham, Essex and Hampshire took part in the parade, riding in a mile-and-a-half-long convoy from Fakenham to Sheringham town centre, where they lined up along High Street.

Competition judges Roger Stern and Peter Clifford were charged with the task of picking the best bike, with members of the public invited to choose the winner of the people's choice award.

'There was a terrific atmosphere and we were really pleased to see such a fantastic turnout,' Mr Vinall said. 'We like to think of ourselves as a mini Daytona and it certainly lived up to all expectations.'

The carnival continues today with a sandcastle/sculpture contest on the lifeguard beach from 10am, a graffiti art contest on east beach promenade from 12 noon and busking on Lifeboat Plain from 12.30pm. Programmes are available from the carnival caravan.

steve.downes@archant.co.uk