Deckchairs and cartoon characters are among the new attractions at a food and fun event on the north Norfolk coast this spring.

The second Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival in May will again be a celebration of the crustacea that link the two resorts and their fishing heritage.

Last year the inaugural event featured a trail of more then 80 shellfish models painted by local artists, community groups and individuals for visiting families to track down.

This year the trail will feature scores of colourful deckchairs, providing blank canvasses for people to decorate with paint, photographs, collage and needlecrafts. It will also run much longer this time, April to late August.

Children aged from 5-15 are being encouraged to draw cartoon versions of six characters, Captain Crustacea and his friends.

Cookery remains a key part of the festival, with Norfolk-based writer and broadcaster Mary Kemp giving demonstrations on a mobile kitchen, and hosting Ready Steady Cook style sessions including a planned clash between the two town criers.

The programme during the festival which runs from May 20-22, will also include music, restaurant and trails, farmers market, street entertainment, crafts, classic car and bike rally and a world pier crabbing championship.

Chairman Tony Shipp told a launch event attended by 140 people at the Red Lion Cromer the festival aimed to build on the success of its first year, when the aims were to promote the local heritage, community, fishing industry, food and business in an entertaining way which extended the tourist season, and raise funds for local charities.

The festival, which last year raised �9,000 for the towns' lifeboat stations and Help for Heroes will again support the crews this year, but also help the Seaman's Mission.

Tesco is the main sponsor of this year's festival, with backing also from both town councils, added Mr Shipp.

Brewers Woodfordes are also supporting the event with their Pincer Pale ale, and promoting the festival through beer mats elsewhere in the county.

Joint president Hilary Thompson from Cromer said the deckchairs were chosen because at �60 a time, they were more affordable, in tough times, than the crab and lobster models last year which was �200 and �400. There were however some limited edition giant chairs costing �200.

Businesses, pubs, community groups, even groups of neighbours could buy them to display throughout the summer. The chairs would be auctioned on Sunday August 28.

They should be an attraction to draw people to the area, said Mrs Thompson, adding: 'We are a tourist area and want people to come to help us survive and thrive.'

Fellow president Noel Gant from Sheringham said he wanted the festival to be fun, and that people should 'learn how to get the dead men's fingers out of a crab.'

Mary Kemp said the area had some 'wonderful and ingredients and chefs' which would be showcased through the mobile kitchen.

?To sponsor a deckchair contact festival secretary Kate Royall on 07796 463507 or e-mail enquiries@crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk.

?The children's cartoon design competition is for three age groups. Five to sevens will be asked to draw Winnie Whelk and Larry Limpet, eights to 11s Lizzie Lobster and Charlie Crab, and 12s to 15s Captain Crustacea and Queenie Scallop. Winners will receive t-shirts printed with their designs, as well as prizes including tickets to local adventure parks. Deadline for entries is April 15.

More information and entry forms can be downloaded from the website www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk