A Norfolk discount store has crowned one of its most loyal customers their Christmas princess.

Eastern Daily Press: The likeness of Heidi above the entrance to the Christmas castle display. Picture: QDThe likeness of Heidi above the entrance to the Christmas castle display. Picture: QD (Image: QD)

Heidi Everett, 43, has visited the Dereham branch of QD every week since it opened in 2005.

Ms Everett, who was left severely disabled after a car accident at the age of three, spends much of her time crafting and making items to raise money for various community groups, clubs and charities.

Ms Everett was crowned at the opening of the shop’s Christmas castle display, in a ceremony with her mother, QD staff and other customers.

The 6.5 metre-high diorama, which took three days to make and further day to install, features a likeness of Heidi as a Christmas princess above its entrance, and will be up for customers to enjoy throughout the festive season.

Giles Andrew, manager of QD in Dereham, said: “Over the years, Heidi has made such an impression on the team and made so many friends here in the store.

“This year, when we devised the castle idea for our in-store Christmas display and talked about a princess as the focal point, we thought of Heidi and how much Christmas means to her.” he said.

“It’s a small but very personal token of our appreciation for Heidi and shows the ethos behind the QD family.

“This has been our most ambitious Christmas display yet – and definitely our most memorable and heart-felt one too.”

Pam Everett, Heidi’s mother, said: “We were overwhelmed when Giles and the team told us they wanted to have Heidi as the princess for their castle.”

“Heidi absolutely loves Christmas and for her to be the star of her favourite store display has really made us so proud.

“She’s always been my princess and she is over the moon that QD have made her theirs now too.”