Good samaritans who donated their time to transport patients to medical appointments clocked up almost 60,000 miles last year.

The volunteer drivers are all members of the Burnham Market Community Car Scheme, which operates across mid-Norfolk. They were recognised at a ceremony in the village hall.

The scheme's vice-chairman, Dr David Ince, said: 'The scheme grew from small beginnings in 2002 to an organisation whose 27 drivers travelled 58,863 miles in 2016 taking patients to medical appointments, and spent 3,818 unpaid volunteer hours of their time supporting the National Health Service in the area.

'Their generous help made an enormous impact on housebound patients and the quality of the service provided by medical staff who cared for them. They saved the many hours that doctors would otherwise have spent visiting those same people in their homes.'