Ship wheels auction at Cromer raises more than £7,000

The charity auction of 101 wheels was Cromer's holiday finale event after carnival week earlier this month and spring's Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival.

Would-be buyers on Cromer Pier's forecourt held their bidding numbers in one hand and their brollies in the other as charity auctioneer Martyn Fox, of Keys in Aylsham, urged everyone to ignore the rain and join in.

Tony Shipp, chairman of organisers for the May crab and lobster festival, said he was delighted with the result which matched the annual auction's best year. Proceeds go to local good causes with the previous five events raising more than £30,000 in total.

Wheels had been decorated by a range of local people from professional artists to enthusiastic amateurs, and groups including guides and schools.

The artworks had spent the season on display at shops, offices, cafés, pubs, museums and galleries in the town.

Top price this year was £300 paid by Laurie Scott to secure the wheel sponsored by his wife, Ema Scott Rowlands's Breakers Café, on Cromer's Garden Street.

The café's contribution was created by artist Dianne Lindsay, from Gimingham, near North Walsham.

She had painted a beach scene in oils, featuring Cromer Pier with a girl in the foreground.

'We have all Dianne's work for Breakers from each year's auction on display and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss this one,' said Mr Scott. 'They all have a similar theme and colours.'

Pub landlord Luke Evans paid £260 and is now the proud owner of a ship's wheel which forms the back of a rustic wooden chest seat.

Mr Evans, who runs Cromer's The Cottage pub, said it was one of half a dozen purchases he had made at the auction and would fit nicely in his dining room.

The wheel was made by John Showers, of Western House bed and breakfast, on New Street.

A chocolate cake, in the shape of a crab, made by Creative Cakes, of Cromer, was snapped up for £26.