More than £10,500 has so far been raised to help children affected by the Syrian conflict, thanks to a range of festive fundraising meals held in the North Walsham area last month.

Project Host was the brainchild of North Walsham's Rev Susanna Gunner.

She wanted to see 1,000 people coming together across the town at simple meals, with diners donating to Save the Children for the cause, rather than spending cash to buy their hosts wine, gifts, cards or flowers.

As well as individuals, several businesses got involved as well, including North Walsham's Labone Indian restaurant which held a Project Host meal and raised £1,705.

The town's Cockerel Restaurant and Beechwood Hotel also held special events for the cause.

Cash raised will be earmarked for Save the Children's work with children in refugee camps both in Syria and in surrounding countries including Turkey.

Most events were centred around December 6, fittingly the feast day of St Nicholas, a fourth century bishop in what is modern-day Turkey.

He is also patron saint of children, and of North Walsham's parish church.

An estimated 5.6m children are affected by the Syrian conflict.