SWAFFHAM'S guise as the seaside town of Market Shipborough in the successful ITV drama series, Kingdom, could become reality for a day next year.
For plans are being made to transform part of the Market Place into a beach for a special event to be held on August Bank Holiday Sunday next year when the Kingdom crew could be in the town filming its third series.
Iceni Partnership manager Denni
s Tallon said the idea arose from the increasing number of tourists and visitors asking directions to the beach because they have seen Swaffham as the location of the fictitious harbour town in Kingdom.
Don Saunders, from Swaffham WellFamily Service, conceived the idea and Mr Tallon said investigations were now being made with Breckland Council and Norfolk County Council to see if it was feasible.
"We are looking at screening off part of the car park and putting a beach there, with a Punch and Judy show, sandcastle competitions and volleyball games," he said.
Other possibilities include a small funfair, donkey or pony rides and, in the evening, a barbecue and music to create a party atmosphere.
Mr Tallon said: "We are also checking with the Kingdom production crew to see if they could get involved and possibly incorporate it into the storyline, if they were filming around town at that time. We need sponsorship and any technical support they could give us would be welcome."
He recognised the biggest challenge would be the logistics of getting lorry loads of sand delivered to the Market Place and then removing it afterwards. "We chose a Sunday because we realise there's got to be a big clean-up operation," he said.
Mr Tallon would like to hear from any firms interested in sponsoring the beach plan on 01760 722800.
The full article contains 301 words and appears in Lynn News Friday newspaper.
