Cromer is set to be buzzing with the sounds of rock, blues, busking and reggae this weekend as the 14th annual Folk on the Pier festival plays out.

The festivities kicked off yesterday afternoon with a jovial line up including folk fiddle legend Dave Swarbrick and lively newcomers the Urban Folk Quartet (pictured).

Joe Broughton, fiddle, mandolin and guitar player with the band, has appeared at the festival before in a previous line up and thought the three-day extravaganza was one of the country's best folk events.

He said: 'All the bands that come want to play here and know each other.

'And it's got this great focus on this fabulous building (the pier) that's actually on the sea, and that's brilliant for a gig because you really feel like the audience is close and you're cut off from the real world and it gives the place a great atmosphere.'

Organiser Scott Butler said the pier's Pavilion Theatre was the 'star' of the festival because of its location, 'amazing acoustics' and the atmosphere it conjures between the artists and the audience.

And although the pier will be hosting the festival's headliners, including the Oysterband, Edward II and Home Service, it is not the only venue in this year's line up as a number of fringe events are also being held, including a live music marquee in North Lodge Park.

The large tent will be hosting bands and artists, ranging from traditional English folk, bluegrass, Celtic and world music, throughout today and tomorrow.

Some of the town's pubs are also being turned into impromptu performance areas, including the King's Head, White Horse and The Cottage, which is hosting a special memorial session in honour of the late lifeboat coxswain Richard Davies tomorrow (Sunday).

Tickets for some of the performances at the Pavilion are sold out and the North Lodge marquee has a limited capacity.

? For more information visit www.folkonthepier.co.uk