From pond dipping to egg trails and classical music to wildlife spotting the north Norfolk coast is hosting a wide variety of cracking events over the Easter weekend.

Hunts for chocolate treats will be held at parks, woods and historic properties across the district, but families can also get involved in other outdoor activities.

The countryside rangers at North Norfolk District Council have arranged mini-beast hunts, pond dipping sessions and a conservation day at Bacton and Sadlers woods near North Walsham and at Holt Country Park (see above for details).

National Trust staff have meanwhile teamed up with chocolate giant Cadbury to hold Easter egg hunts at its historic properties.

Blickling Hall, Felbrigg Hall and Sheringham Park will all be hosting unique trails in their grounds as well as fun and games such as giant snakes and ladders and sack races. The activities will be held across Sunday April 8 and Easter Monday April 9.

For more details and admission prices visit www.eastereggtrails.com and enter your postcode.

More tasty treats will be on offer to those on the hunt at Hoveton Hall, where visitors can also explore the gardens, and at Barningham Hall in Matlaske (pictured above).

An Easter prize is up for grabs to all those taking part in the treasure hunts at Hoveton, which are running from Good Friday until Easter Monday from 10.30am-5pm. For more information and admission prices visit www.hovetonhallgardens.co.uk or call 01603 782558.

Activities including face painting will also be on offer at Barningham Hall during its Easter egg hunt and fun day on Saturday, which is raising funds for Stepping Stones pre-school based at Aldborough Primary School.

Entry costs �3 for children and �1.50 for adults and includes the egg trail and craft activities, which run from 11am-3.30pm.

If chocolate is not to your taste - or you fall victim to over-indulging on Easter eggs - some alternative Bank Holiday entertainment can be had at the Seal and Bird Rescue Trust in Ridlington, which is throwing open its hospital doors to the public.

And for the first time visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of one of the trust's most unique - and rare - residents, an albino blackbird (pictured above).

Staff rescued the fledgling bird 18 months ago but after discovering it was likely to die if released back into the wild, they decided to take the 'unusual' step of keeping it.

Bev Cosse, trustee chairman, said: 'It's the first time we have allowed the public to see it and we thought it would be very nice for people to see it.'

Visitors will also be able to get hands on with the trust's other patients, including falcons, owls, reptiles and snakes and hear talks from staff about rescue and release missions.

The hospital, in Mill Common Road, will be open from 10am-4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Admission costs �3 for adults and �1 for children.

Classical music fans are also in for a treat this weekend when the Kelling Consort, orchestra and soloists present Bach's St Matthew Passion.

The performance is being staged at St Nicholas Church in Salthouse on Good Friday from 7pm, with proceeds going towards preserving the coastal place of worship.

Tickets cost �12 and are available from Holt Computers or on the door.