Hundreds of worshipers across the region remembered the true meaning of Easter yesterday as they gathered for cross bearings, walks of witness and other religious ceremonies.

Hundreds of worshipers across the region remembered the true meaning of Easter yesterday as they gathered for cross bearings, walks of witness and other religious ceremonies.

In Norwich more than 100 people gathered for a procession from the Chapelfield Methodist church at about 5pm. The walk of witness passed the Forum before arriving at the Anglican Cathedral.

About 200 worshippers of different ages and nationalities packed into St Cuthbert's Church, in Thetford, for a Good Friday ceremony. A short service was led by Canon Bob Baker before a cross bearer led a walk of witness down the town's main shopping street. Sermons and hymns were made at Thetford's baptist and methodist churches before the congregation finished at King's House.

A large wooden cross, which was carved from an old Christmas tree, was used for the traditional procession at nearby East Harling.

Forty villagers attended the ceremony, which started at the Market Place and concluded with a service at St Peter and St Paul Church.

In Sheringham, despite the cold dreary weather, about 200 gathered on the clifftops. The ceremony began at the Methodist Church, on Cromer Road.

Volunteers hoisted the 14 ft wooden cross on to their shoulders and started the silent journey through the town for a short service before carrying it to the hilltop where it was firmly placed in the ground. Last year the cross was vandalised and thrown over the cliffs just two days after it was put up.

The Rev Mark Taylor said: “We've had wonderful turnout and it's lovely to see everyone here. Though it's definitely a case of how long will it stay up for this time? It's a shame people want to try and knock it over.

“We won't be putting on any extra patrols in the area. But this cross can be seen from many houses around the town. We would like it to be left alone this year.”

The ceremony was organised by the town's Churches Together group.

Dozens of Christians held a Good Friday march of witness through Dereham town centre yesterday.

Starting from the parish church, they walked behind a cross being carried and into the precinct and then the Market Place.

Dereham Baptist Church minister the Rev Chris Densham read scriptures and led prayers along with Salvation Army Captain Tom Crozier and music was provided by the Salvation Army band.

Christians from many denominations joined forces to highlight the message of Easter with a procession of witness through King's Lynn.

The procession, headed by a cross, set off from St Faith's Church at Gaywood and called at St John's Church and St Margaret's Church before following a route around the town centre, stopping for hymns, readings and prayers.

The traditional Good Friday event, organised by Churches Together in King's Lynn, involved members of local Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist and Methodist churches, as well as the Salvation Army and evangelical churches.

The Rev Chris Ivory, vicar of St Margaret's, estimated that at least 120 people had joined the procession.

“Good Friday is about remembering that Jesus died for us because he loves us,” he said.

Worshippers from all of the Christian denominations in Wymondham gathered together for the first time yesterday to mark Good Friday.

About 250 people gathered at the Abbey with the walk of witness making stops at the Methodist Chuch, war memorial, Market Cross, Catholic Church and ending at the United Reformed Church at Fairland.

This year the walk of witness will start from the Abbey at 10am and follow a route through the town to finish . This will be a longer walk than usual, stopping for a short time for prayer and hymn singing at the Methodist Church,

It is being organised by Wymondham Churches Together.

In Lowestoft, the Christians Together of the local Churches started their walk from the Our Lady Star of the Sea in Gordon Road.