A celebration of old and new folk talent against the backdrop of the north Norfolk coast.

Cromer's annual music festival Folk on the Pier returns to Cromer Pier theatre and venues around the town over the weekend of May 6-8.

The festival's inspiration Fairport Convention, will be back again this year to headline the final concert of the weekend and famous entertainer and comedian Richard Digance will also be making an appearance on the Friday evening.

Festival organizer Scott Butler said: 'Event tickets for all of the individual concerts are on sale and the festival is shaping up to being one of the most successful in its 18 year history'.

One of the founders of Fairport Convention is Ashley Hutchings, who became patron of the Folk on the Pier festival in 2014 and in 2015 was awarded an MBE for his services to folk and traditional music.

He will revisit some of the highlights of his musical career when he introduces one of his musical collaborators, multi-instrumentalist Ruth Angell, for his 'Patron's spot' on the Sunday morning of the festival.

Others making their first appearances at this year's festival include fiddle/guitar duo Philip Henry and Hannah Martin and folk performers Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar and singer Nancy Kerr.

There will also be energetic blues music from the Jigantics and Nick Barraclough's Brokedown Palace, the John Ward Trio and Ruth Angell's new group the Froe.

Suffolk based duo The Broadside Boys - who have spent many years entertaining audiences at the festival fringe events around the town - finally make it to the mainstage in 2016 to open the final evening concert.

Celtic music will also be on the agenda from Welsh five piece Calan and Breton trio Fred Guichen, Sylvain Barou and Erwan Moal.

Former Steeleye Span member Peter Knight returns once again with his Gigspanner trio. Also returning in a different set up is Joe Broughton.

Tickets and information are available the box office on 01263 512495 and www.folkonthepier.co.uk