Great Yarmouth readies itself for grisly zombie invasion

Great Yarmouth is preparing to respond with a surprising level of readiness to a zombie apocalypse on Saturday.

For while an invasion of the undead may seem more in keeping with a B-movie horror a very real version is set to descend on St George’s Park at around 11.30am.

Expert make-up artists will be on hand to perfect just the right ashen shade of death for dead-on-the-streets participants.

But locals and holiday-makers need not worry. The hordes will not be searching out fresh flesh but donations for a charity that teaches people about alternative cultures.

Like most of the best ideas it was thought up in a pub by Caister man Carl Harrison who had heard about the phenomenon which began in Sacramento USA and spread to many large global cities.

He staged the first event last year on a whim, with little co-ordinated planning, and was bowled over by its success, beating Brighton’s debut in terms of numbers garnering around 60 gory walkers.

This year, with some extra help and buoyed by the enthusiasm of everyone who took part, he is hoping more people will haul themselves around the route taking in the seafront and Regent Road, giving everyone who crosses their path a fright. Participants can pay for make-up on the day. Youngsters from Dragons Stage School will perform a version of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in the Market Place. The event will be followed by a Zombie ball at Evolution with stilt walkers and fire breathers who will also be in the park during the day.

Among the macabre marchers will be a horse, its insides gruesomely outlined on its flanks and ridden by Gavin Church from Aldeby who will also be suitably transformed.

All proceeds will go towards the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, a charity set up in memory of the 20-year-old student beaten to death in a Lancashire park. Mr Harrison, 37, said he hoped to top last year’s total of around £200.

Find out more at www.facebook.com/dead.on.the.streets.