Raft race builds carnival atmosphere in Sheringham

The Vikings ruled the waves at Sheringham carnival's annual raft race, which was won on Sunday by marauding mates John Rumsby and Henry LePage.

The pair of pals left the event's other 11 entrants in their wake, as they sailed to the finish line with ease in a dragon-headed, canoe-style raft made from barrels and wood.

Paddling into second place was a raft made by staff at the Lobster pub, while third prize went to friends Ed Farrow and Harry Harrison, who manned a Swedish-themed raft dressed as Agnetha and Anni-Frid from the supergroup Abba.

Other entrants included a team of pirates from Sheringham Playpark Revamp group, a group of Victorian bathers from the Two Lifeboats Hotel and a group of friends dressed as the American TV family The Simpsons.

The RNLI team made a shame-faced return to shore when a barrel holding their raft together came loose, tipping lifeboat helmsman Steve Banks into the sea, while Sheringham Primary School teacher Becky Robinson's surf board 'Titanic' lived up to its name when she also ended up wobbling overboard.

Carnival committee member Nick Grice, who helped organise the event, said that after being cancelled last year because of bad weather, the race had come back stronger than ever.

Hundreds lined the prom to watch the action, while both Cromer and Sheringham lifeboats put to sea to show their support.

'The turnout has been absolutely amazing, the best ever,' Mr Grice said. 'We have had fabulous weather and we just couldn't do without the huge amount of help we get from the local community.

Sheringham carnival kicks off next weekend with a Harley Davidson bike rally at 12pm on Saturday and crowning day on Sunday, which runs on the Leas from 10am and includes children's games, charity stalls, a putting competition, Newfoundland dogs display, dance demonstrations and a Yak52 air display. The carnival queen, her attendant and the carnival prince and princess will be crowned at 2pm.