Reach for your parrot and your pistols, me hearties - and make some doubloons for charity.Hundreds of walkers are set to take part in a pirate prom in aid of the Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House.

As the sun sinks over the yard arm on Friday night, they'll be setting off on a sponsored walk from Heacham to Hunstanton, and back.

Former Norwich City player Chris Sutton will see off the pirates from North Beach at 6.30pm, and there will be live entertainment from live band Jessie's Ghost at Silver Sands, in Heacham, when they return.

Norfolk Hospice fund raising co-ordinator Amanda Standen said: 'We've got about 70 registered at the moment but it could easily double. We're doing registration on the night now.' Registration costs �10 for individual walkers and �5 per person for groups of five or more.

The event is open to both male and female pirates, with a lower age limit for walkers of eight years old.

Those registering in advance will receive a discount voucher towards pirate supplies at World of Fun, in nearby Hunstanton.

People registering on the night should be at Silver Sands, off North Beach, by 5.30pm.

Work has started on the site of the new �4m hospice at Hillington, near Sandringham, which will have 12 beds. A further �2.7m is needed to complete the complex.

The current hospice, at Snettisham, can not provide patients with overnight care.

Staff and volunteers are raising money for a purpose-built 24/7 facility - as well as running the existing hospice, which costs �1m a year to run, just 11pc of which comes from the NHS.

Up to 280 people a month use the existing centre, off the Snettisham by-pass, which opened in 1984. It is run by a team orff health professionals and volunteers to provide support for those affected by life-limiting illness.

To register for the Pirate Prom, e-mail Amanda Standen at amanda.standen@norfolkhospice.org.uk or telephone 01485 542891.