Sunny skies, bonny babies, glamorous grannies and a whole row of knobbly knees saw Cromer carnival's opening weekend get off to a flying start, with a packed programme yesterday following a well-attended beer festival, craft fair and motorbike extravaganza on Saturday.

Carnival chairman Tony Shipp, who is celebrating his 40th year as a committee member, was delighted with the large turnout for the weekend's events.

'The weather has really bucked its ideas up and we have had the usual great crowd,' he said.

Sunday's programme kicked off with the crowning of Miss Cromer, Lucy Royle, by BBC Radio Norfolk presenter and former Cromer lifeguard Nick Conrad on the pier forecourt.

Mum-of-two Lucy, 24, said being crowned Miss Cromer had been a 'brilliant' experience.

'It was a case of third time lucky as I had entered twice before,' she added. 'Everybody had been so supportive and, as well as being lots of fun, it has been lovely to have the chance to be pampered which, as a mum, I don't usually have time for.'

Events on the carnival field at Runton Road ranged from a custom car show and a companion dog show, to a gymkhana and a performance by local singing duo The Squeegees, while events around the town included a display by East Anglian Working Newfoundland Dogs on the seafront and a charity match at Cromer football ground.

The popular bonny baby contest attracted 85 entrants aged from nine weeks to 18 months, with grandads, dads and uncles rolling up their trouser legs for the knobbly knees competition.

Taking the glamorous grandma award was Wendy Chandler of Bradfield, near North Walsham, who brought along seven-month-old granddaughter Evie for support.

Seaside Special comedian Paul Adams and a team of pier show dancers were given the job of judging the children's fancy dress contest, which attracted nearly 50 entrants, including two Noddys, a Harry Potter, a Doctor Who, a garden gnome and a school of jellyfish.

Cromer carnival continues today with children's sports, a decorated beach hut competition, a waiters and waitresses race and a quiz evening, as well as a race night and line dancing on the pier forecourt.

Carnival day is on Wednesday, with the parade of floats setting off from Runton Road car park at 7pm on Thursday.

For a full programme, visit www.cromercarnival.co.uk