It's been a much-loved landmark for donkey's years. But in recent times, it's started showing its age.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton town centre. Picture: Ian BurtHunstanton town centre. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant © 2014)

So the carved wooden relic, which stands on the Green by the Golden Lion has been sent off to be mended.

Some feared worse had happened when the sign disappeared from its usual berth a couple of weeks back.

Eastern Daily Press: Town Focus on Hunstanton - the Green and the Golden Lion Hotel. Picture: Matthew Usher.Town Focus on Hunstanton - the Green and the Golden Lion Hotel. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant © 2011; TEL; (01603) 772434)

By deputy town clerk Jan Roomes said: 'It's gone away to be tidied up. It will be replaced, it will be coming back.' It's uncertain how old the sign is, but the tradition started around 100 years ago on the nearby Royal Estate at Sandringham and spread to communities large and small across the region.

Hunstanton's town sign features St Edmund, who is reckoned to have landed at the foot of the cliffs in 855AD as Prince Edmund. He later became King, but was killed by the Danes in 869AD. The wolf features because a wolf is said to have guarded his head until his followers found it after he was beheaded.

Eastern Daily Press: A beautiful day on the beach in Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtA beautiful day on the beach in Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt