Thousands of people celebrated local food, drink and entertainment at this year's Porkstock festival at the Norfolk Showground.

And the free family event, now in its fifth year as a public event, is set to raise thousands of pounds to Norfolk-based children's bereavement charity Nelson's Journey.

The festival was originally launched by a group of old friends who got together for a barbecue, but it snowballed and has been a public event since 2014.

Saturday's celebration featured street food stalls selling locally-produced food and drink, live entertainment and a sausage eating contest.

And there were also cookery demonstrations from chefs, such as Richard Hughes, Roger Hickman, Andrew Jones, Iain McCarten, Richard Bainbridge, Candi Robertson and Dan Smith.

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground. Chef Roger Hickman.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground. Chef Roger Hickman.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Pippa Lain-Smith, part of the Porkstock organising team, said: ''Porkstock 2018 was a resounding success with around 4,000 people enjoying the free daytime festival and hundreds more attending the evening knees up.

'We were, again, so lucky with amazing weather, and there was a great atmosphere with families and friends sitting outside in the sunshine and enjoying great local food and drink.

'The cookery stage was definitely our best ever. Visitors loved our line-up of some of the finest chefs and food producers in the region and every demonstration was standing room only.

'We had some wonderful feedback from visitors including lots of happy children who loved the craft activities and games organised by Nelson's Journey.

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

'I'd like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors who help make Porkstock happen. We're looking forward to being able to reveal the amount we have raised for Nelson's Journey. '

Saturday night saw a ticketed evening event, with live music and entertainment.

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Porkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPorkstock, 2018 at Norfolk Showground.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)