Seahorse sculptures decorated by groups, businesses and individuals in Cromer and surrounds have raised £8,109.

The sculptures were auctioned off as part of the Crab and Lobster Festival, which returned to the north Norfolk coast after a three-year break in May. 

More than 80  brightly-decorated sculptures formed an art trail that stretched from Mundesley to Weybourne and included Cromer and Sheringham, over the summer months.

Of the proceeds from the auction - which took place at Cromer Pier forecourt in August - £5,000 will be made available in grants to charities and other groups, and the rest will fund next year’s festival.

Small seahorses up for auction measured one metre, with the larger ones being 1.5m. 

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The auction coincided with the World Crabbing Competition, which took place at Cromer Pier the same afternoon. 

North Norfolk News: John Davies leading the auction of seahorsesJohn Davies leading the auction of seahorses (Image: Andreas Yiasimi)Tony Shipp, festival chairman, said: “The committee would like to thank all the artists for their time, imagination and efforts in making such a colourful display; to those who attended and helped with both the festival weekend in May and the auction day; those who bod and purchased a seahorse and finally those members of the committee and helpers who worked so hard on the day to make it all a great success.”

Mr Shipp gave special thanks to John Davies, who conducted the auction.

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The Crab and Lobster Festival was held for the first time in 2010. In the first year, decorated deckchairs made up the art trail and other objects such as lighthouses and shelves in the shapes of boats have been used in following years.

Details of how to apply for grants can be found on the festival’s Facebook page, or by emailing cromercrabandlobsterfestival@gmail.com.