The iconic turn-of-the century pier is a focal point of family days out and has been the location of choice for proposals, fashion shoots and film sets.

Eastern Daily Press: Cromer pier centenaryCromer pier centenary

Jutting out of Cromer's seafront, it is also home to the last end-of-the pier show in Europe.

Now the newly-repaired structure has been crowned Pier of the Year by the National Pier Society, an accolade which manager Jo Atherton is delighted with.

'It is amazing that all of our hard work has been recognised,' she added. 'We are a traditional Victorian pier and the difference between us and a lot of others is we don't have arcades and shops.'

The thriving tourist attraction is owned by North Norfolk District Council, which has just finished repairing damage from a storm surge in December 2013.

Eastern Daily Press: Cromer Pier in 1901Photo: EDP libraryCromer Pier in 1901Photo: EDP library

Council leader Tom FitzPatrick said a lot of money had been spent over the years returning the pier to its former glory, and said it was an important part of the fabric of north Norfolk. He added: 'We are looking to have it remaining present, iconic and winning awards for another 100 years. After the surge there was a lot of interest in the way the pier had survived the battering. We got to work, and got it back into operation.'

The Pier of the Year competition was launched in 1996, and each year individual members of the National Piers Society are invited to nominate the pier they feel is most deserving of the award. This year, Worthing took second place, with Eastbourne and Llandudno tying in third place.

The society's president, Gavin Henderson, said: 'There is no business like show business and Cromer Pier proves it.'

Cromer Pier has featured in films such as Alan Partidge: Alpha Papa and will feature in the upcoming Agatha Christie BBC drama Partners in Crime.

Have you recently won an award? Email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk