Coastal towns to be celebrated in UK-wide festival

Festivities have already been held on Great Yarmouth beach

Coastlines across the East of England are being celebrated during a UK-wide festival.

Organisers hoped art project Beach of Dreams, which kicked off at the Port of Tilbury on Thursday, would inspire action to protect coastal areas.

Stories from communities in Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk have all contributed to a series of public events, running until 1 June.

Artistic director Ali Pretty said the festival would "shine a spotlight" on people, projects and special places that "inspired hope".

Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, Harwich in Essex and Orford Ness in Suffolk are all due to feature during the festivities.

It followed story-gathering sessions held at the start of the year, where residents spoke about what life was like living by the sea.

About 150 of those stories and images will be shown at events from 28 to 30 May, led by art and design organisation Kinetika.

The former top-secret Cold War site of Orford Ness is now a peaceful wildlife haven

The festival is covering eight regions in the UK, stretching as far as Northern Ireland and South Tyneside.

A tapestry of more than 600 silk pennants made by people living in those areas - including the East of England - will tour the country over the coming month.

Silks created during a previous Beach of Dreams event will also be reimagined during a workshop in Tilbury on Saturday.

The event will conclude when all new silks are brought together on Great Yarmouth beach on 30 May.

"In these uncertain times, Beach of Dreams emphasises the power of local communities to shape their own futures," Ms Pretty said.

"We gather strength and solidarity, proving that together we can make a difference."

• To find an event near you, visit Beach of Dreams.