Shops across a Norfolk market town are crafting their own Christmas wreaths to spread festive joy - and provide a challenge for local children.

Dereham Baptist Church is following up on the success of 2019’s wreath festival with a Covid-safe wreath trail this year, in which participating children will be able to hunt for 32 wreaths decorating the town’s shops.

Organiser Lyn Milns pointed out that the absence of a Christmas lights switch-on in Dereham, due to the second national lockdown, had been keenly felt and that “a bit of Christmas cheer” was needed.

She added that she hoped it would also help attract interest in Dereham’s retail businesses during “the worst year they’ve ever experienced.”

Shops have been designing their own wreaths, with some contributed by local schools.

Numbered sheets are available to download on the Baptist church website, or from Green Pastures shop in Norwich Street, with wreaths going up on Thursday December 3 until Christmas Day.