One of the area's top flower festivals opens on Thursday (July 4) at St Andrew's Methodist Church, Sheringham.

The event, which was first held more than 40 years ago, regularly attracts upwards of 3,000 visitors and last year raised nearly £14,000 for church funds, with a donation also made to Sheringham RNLI.

Entitled We Have a Lot to be Thankful For, this year's festival will feature 30 floral arrangements created by experts from all over the county, with themes of displays ranging from neighbours, music and birdsong, to water, food and a nice cup of tea.

Visitors will also have a chance to browse plant, book and art and craft stalls, with St Andrew's congregation members laying on light lunches and cream teas in the church cafeteria.

This year's festival has added significance for Sheringham minister Rev Colin Sherwood, who, after five years in the town, is moving to a church in Yorkshire in a few weeks.

Mr Sherwood, who married fiancée Lana at St Andrew's during the flower festival three years ago, said he would be sad to leave the church, but looked forward to facing a new challenge.

'The festival does mean a great deal to me,' he added. 'I came here not really wanting to have anything to do with flowers, but the standard of arrangements is overwhelming, people come from far and wide to see it and it is a privilege to work alongside such an excellent team.'

St Andrew's flower festival runs from today until Sunday. Opening times are: today, Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday noon to 6pm, with festival worship at 6.30pm. Entry is free, with all donations going to church funds and a charity chosen by festival visitors. For more information, visit www.sheringhammethodist.org.uk