A seaside town is preparing for the much-anticipated return of the World Pier Crabbing Championships and a colourful charity auction.

This August Bank Holiday, crowds will flock to Cromer to enjoy a competitive crabbing contest and the viewing and auctioning of more than 58 wonderfully decorated mooring post lamps.

The two events, happening on the same day on August 25, are organised by the Cromer Crab and Lobster Festival and have become much-loved annual occasions.

The World Pier Crabbing Championships start at 10am, organisers will be looking for the greatest number of crabs caught on a line or net The World Pier Crabbing Championships start at 10am, organisers will be looking for the greatest number of crabs caught on a line or net (Image: Crab & Lobster Festival)

The colourful and imaginative mooring post lamps have up till now been scattered all over north Norfolk, on display in shop windows, parks and guesthouses as part of the festival's annual art trail.

The auction, a staple event of the festival, will be a first-and-only-time chance for people to see all the decorated lamps in one place on the pier forecourt, before they are auctioned for charity.

Starting at 10am, crabbing championship participants will try to catch the highest number of crabs on a line or net, with plans to return all caught crabs back into the sea within 10 minutes.

As well as the championships there will be an auction As well as the championships there will be an auction (Image: Crab & Lobster Festival)

Registration for the crabbing championship begins at 9.30am while the auction will kick off at 12.30pm.

A lively market will also be on display throughout the day on the promenade.

Festival chairman Tony Shipp said: "Hundreds of visitors and local families have followed the Art Trail through the season, the auction is your chance to bid for your favourite and is the climax to this year’s festival.

There is a prize for the biggest crab caught on the day There is a prize for the biggest crab caught on the day (Image: Crab & Lobster Festival)

"We hope that locals and visitors alike will spend the day with us in Cromer on August 25 and take part in the Crabbing Championships before attending and bidding at the auction."

Details about the events, including auction payments, can be obtained from the Cromer Crab and Lobster Festival website.

The festive events are proudly sponsored by The Cliftonville.