Villagers in Fritton have proudly unveiled a new sign thanks to a £4,000 grant from a tourism body.

Eastern Daily Press: Fritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick ButcherFritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Artist Fiona Davies was commissioned by the Greater Yarmouth Tourism Business Improvement Area (GYTABIA) to provide a new fibreglass sign after years of weather exposure left the original one beyond repair.

Eastern Daily Press: Fiona Davies by the sign she has made for Fritton village. Picture: Nick ButcherFiona Davies by the sign she has made for Fritton village. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

With £4,000 available Ms Davies has created a sign that mirrors the carvings found on the original sign, which was put up close to St Edmunds Church in 1986.

Eastern Daily Press: Fritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick ButcherFritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

It depicts the historical church, military associations and the wildfowling husbandry carried out on the lake at Fritton Decoy during medieval times.

Eastern Daily Press: Fiona Davies by the sign she has made for Fritton village. Picture: Nick ButcherFiona Davies by the sign she has made for Fritton village. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

The sign, which has been installed opposite the village hall, took six weeks to complete using acrylic paint with a car lacquer to give added protection from weathering.

Eastern Daily Press: Fritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick ButcherFritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Ms Davies, who lives in East Runton, has worked on about 30 village signs so far over the past six years.

Eastern Daily Press: Fritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick ButcherFritton village proudly shows of its new village sign. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

She said: 'I am really pleased with the sign – it is one of my best.

I have done more detail than before including iridescent paint on the Mallard duck's head to make it look more realistic.

'I really enjoy doing these signs, meeting local people and delving into local history – and know how important they are to a village community.'

Ms Davies has given a basic undercoat to the original sign and returned it to the village to be repainted by the community and displayed in the village hall.

The project was made possible with funding from GYTABIA, which strives to increase visitors to the borough and boost the local economy.

Its chairman Gareth Brown said: 'We felt that providing the money for Fritton's new village sign was a real necessity as this particular village is a prime example of the diverse attractions on offer in our area.

'There's an owl sanctuary, a pub, restaurant, lovely walks and a whole host of other things to enjoy so a new bold sign can only enhance these experiences.'

Adrian Myers, Great Yarmouth borough councillor for Lothingland, said he was delighted with the finished result.

He said: 'Even though Fritton is a small village, there is always a hive of activity and there are some very interesting businesses, so we hope the sign will alert even more people to the area.'