A strange tree which 'grew' by the hour in Cromer churchyard had passers-by pausing to stare.

Made of fishermen's pots and decorated with life-buoy baubles, Cromer's crab-pot Christmas tree is set to become an eye-catching feature of the resort's festivities.

'We wanted to give the Christmas celebrations a twist with something unique celebrating the fishing heritage which is such an integral part of our town,' said Kate Royall, spokesman for the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival which was one of the groups involved.

The idea was suggested by Cromer stalwart Hilary Thompson, a member of the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, who discovered it was a tradition carried out on the east coast of Canada.

Festival members joined forces with Christmas lights volunteers, fishermen and local businesses to create the tree, using at least 150 of fisherman John Davies' crab and lobster pots.

They persevered throughout the daylight hours, despite gale-force morning winds and biting cold.

The tree was designed, using scale drawings, by local architect Jim Bond who watched its progress from the pavement nearby.

It has been surrounded by decorated panels, made by the Open Door Community Art project in Sheringham, and Ms Royall said it would be uplit internally with green lights.

She thanked all those who had helped, including ACS Scaffolding who provided scaffolding free of charge, and vicar of Cromer, Rev David Court, who has allowed the tree to stand in the parish churchyard.

Cromer's Christmas lights will be switched on this Friday, November 30, at 6.45pm.