Think of the traditional seaside and you think of beaches, piers, sweets - and Punch and Judy.

The longest-running example of this raucous puppet show can be found on the promenade in Llandudno, where Codman's Punch and Judy show has operated for 164 years.

But the future of the show will be decided by the next generation according to Jason Codman.

"I grew up with it with my dad and I love it," he said. "There's a legacy there, something I feel a responsibility to, but when the time comes my children will decide if they want to continue it on and I'm OK with that."

Crowds gather to watch Professor Codman's Punch and Judy show on Llandudno promenade.Crowds gather to watch Professor Codman's Punch and Judy show on Llandudno promenade. (Image: Alec Doyle, Newsquest)

The legend of Codman's Punch and Judy show is incredible. In 1860 Richard Codman, a travelling showman, found himself stuck in Llandudno when his horse died.

Needing to earn some money he gathered driftwood from the beach and fashioned a family of puppets - Mr Punch, Judy, the policeman, the beadle (a sort of parish magistrate), the devil, the clown and everyone's favourite - the sausage-stealing crocodile!

Codman also built from driftwood the Proscenium - the stage window where the puppets act out their story - and so was born Professor Codman's wooden headed follies.

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Five generations on, the Codmans are still bringing laughter to Llandudno's promenade each summer - offering a fun alternative to arcades, thrill rides and smartphone games.

"The story has been tweaked a little over time but remains as authentic as possible," said Jason. "When my grandad used to do shows they were an hour long and there was less audience participation, it was a performance.

"We have changed things. Children's attention spans have changed so we now to half hour shows and the participation element is ramped up - we try to get them involved lots as early as we can.

"We are out in the open so every show is different. Some audiences are tougher than others, but most people go away having had a really good laugh."

Codman's Punch and Judy show is a traditional open air performance that relies on audience donations.Codman's Punch and Judy show is a traditional open air performance that relies on audience donations. (Image: Alec Doyle, Newsquest)

Richard Codman originally performed the show for 48 years. In 1908 it was taken over by Jason's great grandfather Herbert, who performed until 1960.

Herbert's son John Codman took the show over from 1960-1980 before cancer tragically cut short his tenure. Jackie and Morris Codman then became custodians from 1980 until 2011, when Jason took over.

"I had no performing background at all, save growing up around all this," he said. "I was working in the corporate world - corporate sales. Do I miss it? I miss the money, but not the stress!

"When you do something like that to come away and completely change direction is an incredible feeling. Running the Punch and Judy show is not easy but I do love it.

"Being honest I did have second thoughts when the time came, but growing up around it and absorbing it every summer, I felt a pressure to continue the legacy.

"My grandfather passed away when I was 13. He'd given me my apprenticeship in Punch and Judy, teaching me the performance, how to deliver the show and how to ensure it earned the money it needed.

"So I said yes and here I am - making sure that anyone who has ever been to Llandudno in living memory can still find us and share the joy they felt as kids with their families."

As it always has, the Punch and Judy show relies on donations from the audience and receives no additional funding. There have been some lean years and maintenance is always a cost.

"The wooden puppets are all the original 1860 puppets, apart from the crocodile," said Jason. "The crocodile with all its hinges and movement has a harder life than the others and the original is too delicate to use, but I still have it.

"The current croc is holding up well, which I'm thankful for. But there is expense - each year the costumes need to be replaced and last year we had storms that left the original Proscenium in pieces so that is currently being restored.

"Fundraising is also getting harder. We sell souvenirs including cuddly toys of the main characters, but the supplier we use is discontinuing the Punch and Judy line so we have to try and find another to keep up with demand. It's the definition of a labour of love."Souvenir sales help Codman's fund the upkeep of the puppets.Souvenir sales help Codman's fund the upkeep of the puppets. (Image: Alec Doyle, Newsquest)

So will the UK's longest running Punch and Judy show continue for another generation? According to Jason, that's not up to him.

 "I'm going to keep doing it as long as I can," he said. "I'm 56 now so I've hopefully got plenty of years left.

"But I would like to wind it down a little so it becomes more of a hobby, something that can be done at weekends rather than full time every summer."

"Long-term, the decision whether to carry it on for a sixth generation is up to my kids. I felt a responsibility to the family and the legacy, but I don't want to place that on my children.

"This is full on every summer and there's a chance it may not be what they want to do. If they decide they don't want to continue with it, I'm OK with that. Our family has still been major part of Llandudno's holiday experience for 164 years and counting."