Cromer's summer pier show is clamped with a crab-like grip to the town's seaside holiday face.

But it is unique - the only coastal venue across the whole country offering a full week of traditional variety entertainment.

The all-singing, all-dancing, saucy postcard-joking shows that used to be part of a bucket and spade holiday have been dying out over recent decades.

Now a book by an East Anglian show fan has charted their heydays and decline - while celebrating Cromer as the last stronghold.

Peter Phillips said: 'Cromer is a one-off with its mix of variety entertainment.

'Many larger resorts have a show which just has a star and a support for a couple of nights a week.'

Mr Phillips believes audiences can be disappointed with such shows, and do not return, adding to the downward spiral.

He says the 'glory days are over' for the seaside show in general, which was in danger of extinction apart from smaller outposts such as Cromer.

But his book Are There Any Holidaymakers in Tonight? charts those glory days - with an undertone that laments their passing.

Mr Phillips said he wrote the book to try and capture the magic of those shows and what attracted the crowds for more than a century.

And he says the beginning of the end for the seaside summer show was just a 'matter of changing times.'

Are There Any Holidaymakers in Tonight? by Peter Phillips is available from Waterstones, Troubador Publishing or Amazon, priced £12.95.

Do you agree that seaside shows are dying? What was your favourite summer show moment? Write to edpletters@archant.co.uk