Cromer Pier was alive with music after the Victorian attraction was the site for the town's first ever busking day today.

The event was organised by friends Ben Carpenter, a local music promoter from Sheringham, and Rebecca Wass, general manager of the pier, and it attracted hundreds of people.

Eight acts played throughout the day and nearly 600 people vote for their favourite who will play at a range of gigs in the Pavilion Theatre on the pier next year.

Mr Carpenter, 34, who helped organise this year's Rock Bodham weekend, said: 'It is amazing. I cannot believe the amount of people here. It brings people to the pier, which is the main thing, and brings Cromer to life. Everyone likes music. It is nice to have music which does not overpower people.'

He added there was a wide range of people enjoying the bands and solo artists, including a 90-year-old man who praised the event.

Miss Wass, from Gertrude Road in Norwich, said: 'There has been a really good mix of acts. We have got something for everyone here as well as music people would not normally hear. We are really pleased. It has been really successful.

'It is really important to get things on the pier, not just because it is a focal point but because people enjoy free things and some people don't know there is a theatre here.'

She added the busking day would hopefully become an annual event.

The acts included the band Couch from Roughton and North Walsham; Swing Lizzy from Norwich and Sheringham; Sam Harvey from Holt; Gemma Khawaja from Norwich; Scubayak from West Runton; Fusion from Wells; Brother Pit from Norwich; and Jim Higgs from Holt.

The youngest performer was a 14-year-old from the band Fusion.

Andy Dorsett, 21, from Roughton, who is in Couch, said: 'It is really good fun. It is a nice opportunity to hear local musicians. It is really cool playing on the pier.'

Couch normally performs punk tunes on electric guitars but the busking day was the second time its members had played acoustic versions of their songs.

Brother Pit won the most votes, Couch came a close second and school band Fusion came third.

For more information about events on the pier search Cromer Pier on Facebook.