Children clutched custard-coloured balloons and people donned yellow shirts, scarves and buttonholes when a south Norfolk town was turned into a hive of yellow-themed activity on Saturday.

Shops decked their windows with sunshine bunting and cafes introduced lemon-themed menus to celebrate Wymondham Lemon Day.

The community event, which aims to brighten the wintry days while raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, was opened by South Norfolk Council chairman, councillor Robert McClenning and Wymondham Town Mayor, councillor Robert Savage, who arrived in a double decker bus filled with bright yellow balloons.

Organiser, Tony Vale, said: 'Lemon day is a great way to get the community together. Yellow is a vibrant colour – it's the zest of life.'

Fire, Army and Air Cadets took part in a yellow brick road challenge at Kings Head Meadow which saw the teams race from one side of the field to the other using carpet tiles.

Councillor Joe Mooney said that the day helped to benefit businesses in the town. 'It's good that the town puts on events like this because it definitely brings people into Wymondham.

'Everyone enjoyed themselves.'

A Robert Kett project craft session was held in the library, children tried their hand at making sunflowers in Fairland Hall, and Wymondham Rotary Club held a bazaar in the Abbey Hall while Encore singing group entertained people at the Market Cross.

'I wanted to include people of all ages,' Mr Vale added. 'There was something for everyone.'

Kath Terry, who lives in Briton Way, said: 'It's good to get people together. The shops make an effort and there's a good mix of people. There's so much new housing in Wymondham that we are seeing a lot more of the younger generation in the town.'