Saturday shoppers in Norwich were given cause to stop splashing the cash for a moment - and learn how they could splash out in another way to help charity.

Saturday shoppers in Norwich were given cause to stop splashing the cash for a moment - and learn how they could splash out in another way to help charity.

A full-size Chinese dragon boat went on display in The Mall shopping centre in an effort to fire enthusiasm for the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices.

Shoppers had the chance to talk to representatives of Gable Events, which is staging the event at Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, on Sunday May 11, and learn how to become a participating crew.

Gable Events has already received a great deal of interest from potential crews and anticipates that the event will be another sell-out success. Last year, it attracted more than 30 teams, 3000 spectators and raised more than £16,000 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices.

Organiser Carol Lester said: “Thousands of companies have enjoyed the motivational and team building benefits of dragon boat racing so it is great to offer the people of East Anglia the chance to take part in this exhilarating ancient Chinese sport. All the feedback from last year's festival at Oulton Broad has been extremely positive and we are expecting this year's event to be even bigger and better.”

For further details and an entry form you can also contact Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia