We take a look back at some of our most popular stories of the year as 2017 draws to a close.

Eastern Daily Press: There has been a high visibility police presence in Cromer and Sheringham, including here at Runton Road car park during the 'lockdown' weekend. Picture: Ally McGilvrayThere has been a high visibility police presence in Cromer and Sheringham, including here at Runton Road car park during the 'lockdown' weekend. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

1. 'I had a gut feeling something was wrong' - Woman approached by man driving car with blue flashing lights describes experience

In February a woman was asked to step out of her car by a man she thought was driving a police car on a country road in south Norfolk. The female driver said: 'I had a gut feeling as soon as it happened that it was wrong as he had done it out of way so people would not have seen.'

Eastern Daily Press: A car on a rural country road in Norfolk. Picture: James BassA car on a rural country road in Norfolk. Picture: James Bass

2. Cromer and Sheringham put 'on lockdown' amid safety fears

Fears over public safety led to large parts of two of North Norfolk's most popular seaside resorts being put on lockdown on what should have been one of the busiest weekends of the year in August. Pubs and other town centre businesses in Cromer closed early on after reports of disturbances in the town the night before.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Deputy Chief Constable Nick Dean decided no action should be taken against the retired officer who is now a police manager for failings in the investigation into O'Neill in 2003. Picture: ANTONY KELLYNorfolk Deputy Chief Constable Nick Dean decided no action should be taken against the retired officer who is now a police manager for failings in the investigation into O'Neill in 2003. Picture: ANTONY KELLY

3. Center Parcs guests in Elveden told to stay in lodges after customer 'overheard someone mention a suspect device'

Police were called to Center Parcs in Elveden and hundreds of people were told to stay in their lodges after a customer 'reported overhearing someone mention a suspect device'. Shops and restaurants were evacuated during the incident in July, along with several hundred swimmers who had been in the nearby pool complex. Nothing suspicious was found.

Eastern Daily Press: Hundreds of swimmers at Center Parcs in Elveden were evacuated after a fire alarm in July. Picture: John NiceHundreds of swimmers at Center Parcs in Elveden were evacuated after a fire alarm in July. Picture: John Nice (Image: Archant)

4. Martin Lewis: Should you be claiming this little-known council tax discount?

Up to 100,000 of the most vulnerable people in society are missing out on a council tax discount worth hundreds or thousands of pounds. That's what money saving expert Martin Lewis explained in his column about council tax discount.

Eastern Daily Press: The discount is available to people living alone or with others. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphotoThe discount is available to people living alone or with others. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto (Image: Highwaystarz-Photography)

5. New Norfolk speed camera system is switched on

There was a lot of interest in a new speed camera system being switched on in the west of the county. The average speed safety camera system was installed on the A17, to the west of King's Lynn.

Eastern Daily Press: Police. Picture: Denise BradleyPolice. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

6. Why one woman left a MJB hotel in Norwich just eight minutes after arriving

A woman from Aylsham walked out of her MJB hotel room on Earlham Road in Norwich just eight minutes after arriving. She claimed there were hairs on the bed, dirt on the table and bath, the towels were old and there was very little toilet roll.

Eastern Daily Press: MJB Group Beeches Hotels. The Beeches Hotels, 2-6 Earlham Road, near to St John's Cathedral. Picture: Denise BradleyMJB Group Beeches Hotels. The Beeches Hotels, 2-6 Earlham Road, near to St John's Cathedral. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

7. 'It was like a scene from an all-action movie' - hero lorry driver saves motorist's life in A47 drama

In what was described as 'like a scene from an all-action movie' Russell Dagless put his life on the line when he saw the driver of a van slumped at the wheel of his moving vehicle crashing into the central barrier on the A47 near Dereham. He received a top award for his incredible bravery.

Eastern Daily Press: Russell Dagless who has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for his quick-thinking action, in safely guiding a van with an unconscious driver into the central road fencing to a stop, which saved the motorist's life and almost certainly prevented a multiple pile-up. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYRussell Dagless who has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for his quick-thinking action, in safely guiding a van with an unconscious driver into the central road fencing to a stop, which saved the motorist's life and almost certainly prevented a multiple pile-up. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

8. Brundall vegetarian finds chicken in his cheese and onion slice at Norwich Co-op

There's nothing quite like tucking into a warm, crumbly pasty after a long day - so imagine the shock of this vegetarian when he took a bite into a cheese and onion slice and found chicken inside. James Hesketh bought the snack from the Co-op at Norwich train station but was left cheesed off when his freshly baked cheese and onion slice contained chicken.

Eastern Daily Press: James Hesketh, 18, a vegetarian from Brundall was shocked when he found chicken in his cheese and onion pasty at the Norwich station Co-op. Picture: Jessica HeskethJames Hesketh, 18, a vegetarian from Brundall was shocked when he found chicken in his cheese and onion pasty at the Norwich station Co-op. Picture: Jessica Hesketh (Image: Archant)

9. Norfolk people warned 'Amazon' scam could cost them dearly

In January watchdogs warned people in Norfolk to be on their guard about scam emails claiming to be from Amazon. Officers at Norfolk Trading Standards issued the warning about 'convincing' looking emails stating the recipient has made an order for a high-value item from the online retailer.

Eastern Daily Press: Police warned of a Amazon scam earlier this year. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Police warned of a Amazon scam earlier this year. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Image: Archant)

10. 'Mammoth's penis' found on north Norfolk coast

An amateur metal detector got the internet talking in January with his unusual find. Robert Mee unearthed a phallus-shaped fossil on the same stretch of coastline where the skeleton of a mammoth was discovered 27 years ago - prompting claims it is a mammoth penis.

Eastern Daily Press: The phallus-shaped fossil was found on the same stretch of coastline where the skeleton of a mammoth was discovered 27 years ago. Picture: ROBERT MEE/NORFOLK FOSSIL FINDS/FACEBOOKThe phallus-shaped fossil was found on the same stretch of coastline where the skeleton of a mammoth was discovered 27 years ago. Picture: ROBERT MEE/NORFOLK FOSSIL FINDS/FACEBOOK (Image: ROBERT MEE/NORFOLK FOSSIL FINDS/FACEBOOK)