A very enjoyable evening was had by all when Kate Batchelor shared her 'year in a sketch book' with a full house last month.

Kessingland Parish Council were delighted to host the event at Marram Green, Kessingland and the event, which included a raffle, raised £372 for the Lowestoft branch of the RNLI.

Kate said of the 2016 sketch-a-day challenge: 'The idea behind the project was to influence my painting and printing, providing an archive of inspiring material from across East Anglia that reflected my deep interest in wildlife, coastal and farming areas.'

One attendee said: 'It was a very enjoyable evening. Kate's love of the area comes through not only via her sketches but also in her commentary.'

Many of the sketches were of Kessingland Beach and the audience enjoyed trying to identify their exact locations. Another guest said it had inspired her to take up drawing again and follow Kate's trail around the local area. The sketches will eventually be included in a book Kate is writing describing her experience and including pictures of the sketches.

Local businesses including Morrisons, The Beach Hut and From Grandma's Stash (Henstead Craft Centre) along with local residents and parish councillors, generously donated prizes for the raffle. Kate herself donated a limited edition print. This event is the first of a series of events, supported by the Parish Council, to engage the community with local arts and crafts projects.

Lynn James, from the Lowestoft RNLI, said: 'It is with great pleasure and thanks that we have received this donation of £372 towards the upkeep of Lowestoft Lifeboat.

'It is even more pleasing to receive it from the local community in conjunction with a local artist, Kate Batchelor, who specialises in depicting local scenes.'