Their sweet, succulent taste has made them one of Norfolk's most famous exports.

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

And hundreds of people have made their way to Cromer to take part in the World Pier Crabbing Championships this weekend.

Youngsters and adults like lowered lines and nets into the waters beneath the town's pier to see what they could come up with as part of the contest, which is part of the Crab and Lobster Festival.

Tony Shipp, festival chairman, said crabbing for Cromer crabs was more popular than ever.

He said: 'It used to be a summer activity but you can come down here almost any weekend of the year now and you can find families with buckets and lines.'

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

The championships - now in their ninth year - used to be just for line-caught crabs, but there is now a category for those caught with a bucket. The overall winner is awarded with the Richard Davies Plate, named after a well-known fisherman who died in 2010.

Among those taking part were Wendy Bradshaw, from Huntingdon, and her children Jessica, 10, and Charlie, 12.

Charlie said: 'I really like doing it. We come here every year, it's a great place. But we don't always catch something.'

North Norfolk News: Cromer Pier is to receive £400,000 of improvements. Picture: Nick ButcherCromer Pier is to receive £400,000 of improvements. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Abigail Brumpton with her catch during the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherAbigail Brumpton with her catch during the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Abigail and Joseph Brumpton with a crab caught during the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherAbigail and Joseph Brumpton with a crab caught during the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Abigail Brumpton with her catch during the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherAbigail Brumpton with her catch during the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Andreas the Pirate at the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherAndreas the Pirate at the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Competitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherCompetitors take part in the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

North Norfolk News: Andreas the Pirate at the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick ButcherAndreas the Pirate at the World crabbing championships off Cromer Pier.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)