David BaleLaughter can be highly contagious as dozens of people outside the Forum in Norwich city centre discoveredDavid Bale

Laughter can be highly contagious as dozens of people outside the Forum in Norwich city centre discovered.

Nina Whear of the Norfolk Laughter Club led a one-hour session of breath and body-based exercises to get Norwich laughing as part of World Laughter Day, which was celebrated in more than 65 countries.

Mrs Whear, from Lammas, near Coltishall, said: 'We must have had about 30 people taking part in the session at one time. Quite a lot of people were watching, and many others were confused about what was going on. But we managed to get the people taking part to enjoy themselves, and others watching also cracked a few smiles.'

As reported, Mrs Whear, a mother of twins, used laughter as a medicine to help her get over suffering heart failure while due to give birth. She said laughter makes you feel better because it releases endorphins.

The Norfolk Laughter Club meets at the Assembly House, Norwich on the second Saturday of each month - next one is Saturday, May 8 - and on the fourth Saturday of each month at Lammas Village Hall.

You can contact Nina at ninawhear@yahoo.co.uk or call 07711598300 or visit the Norfolk Laughter Club website at www.norfolklaughterclub.com.