Get your calculators out and figure out our 180th anniversary giveaway.

Eastern Daily Press: Palmers department store, Yarmouth are celebrating 180 years of business with a giant window display competion. David Howard, Palmers Managing Director.Palmers department store, Yarmouth are celebrating 180 years of business with a giant window display competion. David Howard, Palmers Managing Director. (Image: Archant © 2017)

That is the message from a landmark department store in Great Yarmouth that has set up a special competition that will keep customers guessing for the rest of the month.

This morning Palmers Department Store launched its Win the Window contest, which has seen 180 selected items at the store go on display.

Until May 29 customers and passersby are being asked to guess the total value of all the items in the store's main frontage by filling out an entry form at the store.

Whoever guesses the right amount or gets the closest will then take home all 180 items, which include a Sherborne chair worth more than £1,000, bedding, towels, toiletries and a record player.

Eastern Daily Press: Palmers department store, Yarmouth are celebrating 180 years of business with a giant window display competion.Palmers department store, Yarmouth are celebrating 180 years of business with a giant window display competion. (Image: Archant © 2017)

The competition to mark the store's 180th anniversary was launched at 9.15am by its managing director David Howard as the window covering was pulled down after a countdown.

Within an hour there had been about 300 competition forms completed with estimates such as £2,500 and £5,560 for the total worth of the items.

Mr Howard said the early response was 'amazing' and he was delighted to see people examining all the items and visiting the store to guess their worth.

He added the idea for the competition came from the store's display team following a 'brainstorming session' on how to celebrate the anniversary.

Mr Howard said: 'I think it is a brilliant and fun idea to celebrate our anniversary. It has caught people's imagination.

'We have enjoyed 180 years in the town and want the community to help celebrate that. We are proud to have been in Great Yarmouth for 180 years and here's to the next 180 years.'

The Win the Window competition runs until May 29 with the winner being chosen the next day. If more than one person chooses the right amount then a name will be drawn from a hat.

On Saturday the store celebrates its actual anniversary with a party day.

It starts at 11am when the mayor of the borough opens the proceedings, which involves live music, canapes and drinks.

The original Palmers shop was opened by Garwood Burton Palmer in 1837. It started as a linen mercer's and silk drapers. Today's store employs about 170 staff.