More than 100 years ago Great Yarmouth was at the epicentre of the herring fishing industry with about 1,000 drifters bringing in vast catches of silver darlings.

And now memories of the town's once mighty herring fishing fleet are to be reignited in an arts festival trial.

A Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Herring Trail is being created as part of the Great Yarmouth Arts Festival.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: 'Herring girls' in 1952 Picture: Newsquest'Herring girls' in 1952 Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

The trial will be made up 32 3ft herring designs created by local college students and children.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Some of the herring art pieces Picture: Hugh SturzakerSome of the herring art pieces Picture: Hugh Sturzaker (Image: Hugh Sturzaker)

The trial celebrates Great Yarmouth's link to the once-thriving herring fishing fleet based in the town and the Scottish herring girls who could gut 60 silver darlings a minute.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Keeping their nimble fingers busy: Scottish fisher-lassies enjoy knitting while awaiting the next catch of herring to be gutted Picture: NewsquestKeeping their nimble fingers busy: Scottish fisher-lassies enjoy knitting while awaiting the next catch of herring to be gutted Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant)

At its height more than 110 years ago a mixed fleet of more than a thousand steam and sailing drifters landed over 840,000 crans of herring at Great Yarmouth.

The industry slowly petered out and it is thought that the remaining few drifters cranned out their final catches in the autumn of 1968.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ready to join the fishing fleet: the newly-built lugger-trawler Autumn Sun arrives in Yarmouth from the builder's yard Picture: NewsquestReady to join the fishing fleet: the newly-built lugger-trawler Autumn Sun arrives in Yarmouth from the builder's yard Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant)

The trail will also reflect on how Great Yarmouth's new third crossing has been named Herring Bridge.

Hugh Sturzaker, festival chairman, said: "The arts festival is having a herring trail this year.  

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Festival chairman Hugh Sturzaker Picture: NewsquestFestival chairman Hugh Sturzaker Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

"This is to mark the opening of the Herring Bridge and acknowledging the great part herring have played in the town’s economic success.    

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Herring being gutted in 1949 Picture: NewsquestHerring being gutted in 1949 Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

"Thirty-two herrings measuring three feet in height have been made by the two colleges.  

READ MORE: Movie shot on steam drifter

"They have been decorated by the students as well as some pupils from Northgate Primary School and children from Gorleston Library.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Scottish drifters docked in town Picture: NewsquestScottish drifters docked in town Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant)

"The fish will be distributed around shops and businesses in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston and the people who find the most will get a prize."

The herring will then be auctioned and the profits will go to the Surgical Robot Appeal at the James Paget University Hospital.

READ MORE: Carnival parade to set off from seafront

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Some of the herring art pieces Picture: Hugh SturzakerSome of the herring art pieces Picture: Hugh Sturzaker (Image: Hugh Sturzaker)

The Great Yarmouth Arts Festival takes place between September 22 and 30.

The carnival parade is on Saturday, September 23 and starts at 12pm at the seafront.

Visit www.gyartsfestival.co.uk

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Herring Bridge Picture: Mike PageHerring Bridge Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)