Cost of holding traditional fair 'up by 15%'

The first King's Lynn Mart was held as a trade fair attracting visitors from around the world

The organisers of a centuries-old funfair say rising energy and insurance bills have contributed to a 15% increase in costs.

The King's Lynn Mart started off as trading fair in the Norfolk town more than 800 years ago and would attract visitors from all over Europe.

Now it is a modern funfair, covering the town's Tuesday Market Place every year.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected over the nine-day event, which opens on Friday.

Showman Nipper Appleton said families had less money than ever to spend on days out at the fair

Nipper Appleton, 83, chair of the Eastern regional section of the Showmen's Guild, said there was "a limit to how high you can go because you mustn't out-price your public".

"This particular year everybody is feeling the pinch," he said.

"It costs us quite a lot of money to put the Mart on.

"It escalates quickly. The fuel bills, the rent costs, our insurance and our testing fees."

The Mart has a "children's day" on 17 February where rides are discounted to ensure locals can afford a day out.

Up to 15,000 people are expected to visit the funfair if the weather is good.

Mr Appleton said the 50 families who run the Mart had a two-day window to transform the Tuesday Market place into a funfair.

"We do work together. We'll work late into the evening as well to make it happen," he said.

This traditional engine, which powered rides at the Mart 100 years ago, will be on display alongside the modern attractions

This year's event also aims to connect the modern fair with its history.

The original steam engine which was used to power rides on the Mart 100 years ago will be on show.

The Burrell showman's road locomotive has spent the past six years being restored by Dave Roberts from The Saunders Collection and his team.

After thousands of hours of work this will be the first time the engine has been back on the road, travelling from Thetford to King's Lynn to be displayed.