Sheringham gears up to go Potty

Around 20 morris dancing sides from all over the country will be toe-tapping their way through the streets of Sheringham at the weekend, as part of the town's 16th annual Lobster Potty Festival.

Around 20 morris dancing sides from all over the country will be toe-tapping their way through the streets of Sheringham at the weekend, as part of the town's 16th annual Lobster Potty Festival.

Home-grown sides this year include Sheringham's Lobster Potties and Weavers Morris from North Walsham, with dancers from further afield ranging from the Rising Larks from Clacton-on-Sea and the Bows 'n' Bells from Colchester, to West Yorkshire side Leeds Morris and the Northampton Witchmen.

The action kicks off with a procession through the town at 10am on Saturday , with sides dancing at locations including the town clock and Station Road, as well as at the main arena on Lifeboat Plain.

Following a concert by local songsters the Sheringham Shantymen at 1pm, dancing will continue around the town until 4pm, when all sides will meet up at Lifeboat Plain for massed dancing until around 5.30pm.

Evening attractions include impromptu music sessions at various town pubs, as well as a performance by popular local band The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo at the main arena at 8pm.

On Sunday, sides will dance from 10.45am-2.30pm before heading off home.

New joint festival chairmen, husband and wife Steve and Eileen Brown, appealed to local dancers and musicians to support the event.

"We are desperately short of both dancing members and violin, melodeon or accordion players, so we would be really pleased to hear from anyone willing to help out," Mr Brown said.

Dancers or musicians can contact Steve or Eileen Brown on 01263 837693.