A WEEKEND of storytelling enchanted visitors of all ages at an enthralling new nautical-themed event.

Volunteers from historical group the Harwich Society organised local wordsmiths and authors to entertain guests at the Ha’Penny Pier Visitor Centre throughout Saturday and Sunday as youngsters donned a variety of fancy dress outfits to get into the spirit.

Organiser Lesley Elliot said the weekend had proved a big success and d i s c u s - s i o n s h a d already begun to host a similar event next year.

She said: “It went very well, especially because this is the first time we have thought of doing it.

“We wanted to see how it would turn out, but we have already talked about doing it again next year.

“June Bretherton, who is a blind author who lives in the town, has written stories about Harwich when she still had her sight and we gave the opportunity to have her work read to people.

“Then there was Mary Blake, who used to be in the Essex Storytellers. The children really enjoyed it and we had all different age groups come down.

"Sometimes it was the youngsters dressed as pirates and at other points it was their grandfathers who were enjoying it."