Special events around the region attracted crowds eager to mark Good Friday and kick off the long Easter weekend.

Many towns and villages marked the occasion yesterday with a traditional walk of witness, carrying crosses and saying prayers.

Around 70 worshippers embarked on a walk through Lowestoft town centre starting from Our Lady Star of the Sea Church.

Leading a service beforehand in the Gordon Road church, the Rev Fr Paul Chanh said: 'My friends, we walk together as pilgrims that our faith may be strengthened and our witness be the more inspiring to those who see it.

'May those who observe it without faith pause to wonder at the light that ever leads and guides us.

After readings, the cross was carried through the town, followed by people walking and singing hymns accompanied by the Salvation Army band and handing out crosses to passers by before the final stop - the United Reformed Church in London Road North for a service.

Dozens of Christians also gathered under overcast skies in Dereham to follow a wooden cross through the town centre.

About 40 people of all faiths came together at Queen Mother's Garden for a Bible reading and prayers. They then walked behind the cross to several points including in front of St Nicholas' Parish Church, the Post Office, the Market Place and finally in Nelson Place precinct.

The group stopped traffic and attracted glances ranging from the quizzical to the respectful during the 30-minute procession.

In North Walsham the churches also joined for a procession around the town. A cross was carried from the Market Cross to the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, with bible passages read out and hymns sung along the way.

The procession stopped at various points and Rev Paul Cubitt, vicar of St Nicholas' Church in North Walsham, said: 'The tradition of the procession has been going for 20 or 30 years, we are picking it up and using some of the features of North Walsham to share the story of Good Friday.'

He urged those taking part to pray for others as they walked around the town, for the local businesses and the community as well.

A large crowd braved biting wind at Sheringham to take part in their annual walk of witness.

The long-held tradition saw more than 200 people follow a team of young congregation members as they carried a 12ft wooden cross along Church Street, stopping at the town clock for hymns led by Sheringham Salvation Army, before winding their way up the picturesque Beeston Hill.

Windswept worshippers then gathered for prayers led by the vicar of St Peter's Church, the Rev Christian Heycocks.

Richard Jonas, who has been part of the procession for more than 15 years said the symbolism of the 'town, the green hill and the cross' gave poignancy to the walk.

By far the longest walk though was completed by hundreds of pilgrims who arrived in the holy village of Walsingham yesterday to complete their 10-day pilgrimage.

Eleven groups battled gale-force winds and heavy rain as they walked more than 800 miles as part of the Student Cross pilgrimage, the oldest in the country.

Each carrying a cross, the groups arrived mid-afternoon and they will stay in Walsingham for the whole Easter weekend.

Damien Sweeney, part of the group which came from just outside Nottingham, has taken part in the pilgrimage for 37 years.

He said: 'It's important as a witness of my faith to carry the cross through holy week.

'It's a great way of celebrating fellowship with people of all denominations.'

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