TODAY we celebrate one of Suffolk's greatest treasures - our county's wonderful coastline.

Richard Cornwell

TODAY we celebrate one of Suffolk's greatest treasures - our county's wonderful coastline.

We look at 24 hours in the life of our coastal communities - their rich heritage, the amazing range of activity, its simple beauty - part of our area which is home to thousands and enjoyed by many more visiting each year.

Evening Star photographers have been out and about from the midnight hour to dawn, from breakfast and throughout the day and evening, capturing images of workers, people who live by the sea, those who spend their leisure time there, and the many sights, some familiar and some not so.

The coast never sleeps - there is always something going on and over a series of days our photographers were there to capture the moment.

All their pictures are included in the gallery above, while the links below will take you to a range of stories about the coast, the people it supports and their tales.

From early morning walkers and keep fit fanatics pounding promenades, to midnight fishermen huddled in waterproofs on lonely beaches practising their hobby, to the constant clattering and clanging of cranes loading and unloading ships.

The sea, too, is relentless, smashing onto the shores in winter, eroding cliffs and changing the landscape, high tides and huge waves creating danger and drama, and at other times as still as a millpond, as warm as a bath, and a playground for swimmers, paddlers, sailboarders, kite-surfers, and all the people messing about in boats.

So join with us in celebrating all that happens on our coastal strip - and let us have your stories, too, about why Suffolk's coast is so special.