Bright weather brought families flocking to Great Yarmouth yesterday to celebrate Mothering Sunday.

Restaurants were packed along Regent Road and on the seafront and crowds milled along Marine Parade not deterred by a slightly chilly breeze.

Yarmouth councillor and restaurateur Graham Plant said the impressive number of visitors on the first Sunday in April boded well for the season ahead.

He said: 'Every indication points to another good staycation summer and the smiles on the faces of people today shows Yarmouth has plenty to offer.'

At the seafront's Merrivale Model Village, families queued to take advantage of the attraction's special 50p entrance price to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Boss Peter Williamson said: 'By noon we had had 400 people through the gate and people have been queuing on to the pavement outside. For this time of the year it is fantastic.'

In Norwich, families flocked to Whitlingham Country Park on the edge of the city.

Albert Ward, from the park, said: 'We have been extremely busy right from the start of the morning.

'I put it down to Mothering Sunday and lots of people wanting to come out for that.

'People from Norwich tend to come here if the weather is nice, or if it is looking doubtful a bit further afield as they can easily get home if the weather turns.'

Cromer and Sheringham were busy, with families enjoying the warmth on the beach in the towns.

Hilary Nelson, North Norfolk District Council's cabinet member for tourism, said: 'I think people have come out with the daffodils. Everything seems to be on the up and up. People are on the beaches and enjoying themselves. I also think it's really nice how well the pubs and restaurants have pulled together to make it a special day.'

Meanwhile, in the west of the county, Hunstanton Mayor Peter Mallam, who owns The Wash View Caf� on the town's prom, said there were plenty of people making the most of the coast.

'It's a bit cold in the wind, but there are certainly a lot of people around,' he said.

Mr Mallam added that a fine Moother's Day had also helped bring the crowds out.

'I think they have come out to lunch at some of the local bistros and then walked the prom,' he said.

He said he hoped the sunny weekend would prove to be the beginning of a long, and busy summer season for the popular resort.