Surging numbers of people are heading to Norwich's museums, including the castle, new figures have revealed.

A new report drawn up by the Museums Service showed visitor numbers to the city's museums in 2010/11 exceed 2009/10 figures by 13.5pc.

And an increase of 17.4pc in the number of visitors to the flagship Norwich Castle Museum has been credited for the surge.

A large proportion of the increase was during the month of August when 28,000 visitors headed to the castle, compared with 18,000 in 2009/10.

But museum bosses said visitor numbers have been consistently higher month on month, other than during the three weeks of snow in December.

According to a report which will come before members of the Norwich Area Museums Committee next Monday, 144,715 people visited the castle by the end of January, compared to 123,276 by the same date last year.

Visits to all the city's museums, including Strangers' Hall, the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum and Carrow House Costume and Textile Study Centre, totalled 169,876 by the end of January, while school visits were also up 8pc.