Attleborough is about to go through one of its biggest transformations in its history, according to the town's mayor, Councillor Tony Perkins.

About 40 people were at the Attleborough Annual Town Assembly at the town hall last night to discuss the future of the town.

Deputy mayor, Jeremy Burton, read a statement from Mr Perkins, who could not be at the meeting.

He said: 'This is an extremely important time in Attleborough's history as we are facing the prospect of expansion on an unprecedented scale.

'You only have to look west and soon east to see the developments are pushing the boundaries of housing outwards.'

There are plans to build an extra 4,000 homes in Attleborough by 2036, more than doubling the size of the town.

The development will mean an extra 10,000 people calling Attleborough home.

Mr Perkins said that while most residents were 'resigned' to the plans, the town's infrastructure had to grow to accommodate it.

Also at the meeting, Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan steering group member Steve Hall gave an update on the plan, which was started in 2013 to help deal with the town's planned expansion.

Mr Hall called on town, district and county councils to work with the community to make sure Attleborough had the health, education, parks and roads it needed for the future.

He said: 'It's going to take co-operation between all parties to deal with this issue.'

Mr Perkins said the neighbourhood plan was vital to help secure the town's future, and would ensure the town council had a say in future development.

He said: 'Only once the plan is adopted will the town council be asked to realise the many projects that seek to redress the deficit that Attleborough has for many years suffered.'

Mr Perkins also asked residents to work together and embrace change, while holding onto all that was special about the town.

He said: 'When you talk to non-residents of Attleborough they are nearly always envious of our beautiful town square, our excellent education achievements, our thriving town centre, our superb sports clubs, our low crime rates, our business community, our Christmas lights, summer carnival, our brilliant bikes and above all, our prospects.

'We look forward to exciting times ahead for our town and whilst I am under no illusions of the amount of hard work that lays ahead, we should not be daunted.'