The mystery objects which washed up on a Norfolk beach turned out to be the remains of ancient trees.

Environmental health officers launched an invetigation after black objects of various sizes were washed up along the shoreline between Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton.

Initial analysis by coastguards and firefigthters presumed the material to be peat, and additional sampling since has confirmed this.

Testing of the objects for volatile organic compounds (VOC) gave a negative result, and confirmed that the material could not be an oil-based product.

While the exact source of the material cannot be confirmed, it is thought that the recent storm activity last week may have dislodged the it from the shoreline further along the coast.

An ancient forest is thought to lie out at sea off Titchwell Beach. The peat is not a hazard to the public and does not need to be removed.