Unveiling of the new vilage sign in Great Snoring. Chairman of the parish council Mary Perowne unveils the new sign.

It has taken a great effort to get a great sign for a village proud of its Great name.

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And the feeling of achievement in Great Snoring, near Fakenham, was as warm as the Easter weather as the sign was finally unveiled on Saturday,

A happy crowd of local people gathered to celebrate the installation of the new contemporary see-through circular sign.

It has two curved lines in the lower half symbolising the village’s position in the Stiffkey Valley, while a sheaf of corn, with poppies among the ears, and a woolly sheep stand for the main activities of Great Snoring today.

The village church is also featured, while gulls fly over the whole design.

The completion of the project comes after years of hard work and planning to substitute the former sign, which had deteriorated badly and needed replacing.

The village - with its quaint name - attracts many walkers and cyclists who want to be photographed by the sign.

Local people felt the old sign did not reflect the village life and so the parish council initially asked Wayland Prison to make a new one in their workshop.

But the council had to decide not to use it as they thought the heavy metal creation did still not portray the modern image.

So three years ago the council asked for suggestions from villagers with a prize draw on offer and the new sign brings together the best of the ideas.

Metalworker Nigel Barnett, from Fransham Forge, started the work but as he was overwhelmed with commissions, he referred villagers to his colleague David Capes.

Tragically, Mr Capes was killed in a crash but his wife Sue allowed Great Snoring to have the partly-completed sign and they were able to get James Spedding and his colleagues at Holkham Forge to finish it.

The paintwork was completed by Nicola Poole of Rainbow Cow Designs.

All the cost has been covered through donations and there has been no public expense and a new seat has also been provided in the triangle of land in the villag where the sign stands.

Parish council chairman Mary Perowne said: “It has been a big effort in a very small community and it is good to celebrate the success at the end of a long and tricky road.”