An exhibition celebrating North Walsham over the past century has raised £2,000 for the parish church's tower appeal.

St Nicholas' Church was filled with nearly 40 displays over the celebration weekend, representing the history and creativity of a range of the town's businesses and organisations.

Most included flowers in their design. Among the more eye-catching were a life-size hippo, a moving butcher automaton complete with cleaver, a carving of Saint Joseph created by a prisoner of war, and an intricate model of North Walsham Market Cross in 1914.

Visitors were asked to vote for their favourite and the poll was won by North Walsham Brownies and Guides whose imaginative display included models of all their activities and a decorated ladder charting important events in their organisation from 1914 to the present. North Walsham Town Council came second with its Market Cross model.

The weekend of events began with an official opening by Major General Sir William Cubitt, whose family seat is at nearby Honing.

He talked of the changes to be seen in North Walsham when comparing different maps of the town over the 100 years and reminisced about some of the businesses and employers which used to be prominent in the town and praised new ventures. His speech, and a display of all the shops advertised in early magazines, prompted much nostalgic discussion about the town.

On Saturday evening the Cantamus choir performed their final, and popular, concert of the season, conducted by David Ballard.

Mayors from several other Norfolk towns attended a civic service in the church on Sunday to welcome North Walsham's new mayor, Richard Sims, into his year of office.

Areas of the church were decorated in red and white floral displays for Pentecost and the Sunday morning service included a special procession out into the churchyard. Church chiefs still need to raise £26,000 to fund the £210,000 tower repair project which is now underway.

There will be an opportunity for people to sponsor a stone in the tower which will be authenticated by a certificate recording the placement of each stone.

And on Friday June 27 at 7.30pm there will be a concert with the Norfolk Fellowship Brass and Broadland Youth Choir. Tickets will be £8 on the door.