It was feared forever forgotten but memories of Cromer's mysterious mechanical elephant have been brought back to life by reminiscent readers.

After we published the story of Michael Gregory's hunt for the seaside attraction, scores of readers have contacted our Cromer office with their recollections of the lifelike beast.

Mr Gregory, from Stoke-on-Trent, launched his search for the elusive ellie after uncovering a black and white snap of himself as a youngster riding on its back and despite bringing his photo on a recent holiday to Cromer, he said no one he spoke to could remember it.

But last week's story triggered many peoples' memories and their tales of the mechanical mammal have been flooding in - along with ideas as to what happened to it.

Many believe the elephant, which would trundle along the promenade carrying up to six children, ended up on Channel 4 show, Four Rooms. A mechanical elephant was featured on the programme - in which dealers bid for original objects - under the name of Ellie but went unsold during its TV appearance.

Others, meanwhile have named possible owners of the entertaining ellie.

Reader Ian Alexander thought 'Nellie' was owned by a Cromer man, Dick Crown and was possibly stored in council building near the seafront toilets. Online commenters said there were up to ten mechanical elephants made by Hull man Frank Stuart through his company Mechanimals, which could be found at various seaside locations.

But the overwhelming tide of comments have been from those who fondly remember riding on the elephant's back.

Jeanette Turner, 66, who was born in Cromer before moving to North Walsham, said: 'To me it looked like a real elephant because it was so big. It used to go from Melbourne slopes up to the gangway and back again.

'My dad used to take me down to the prom nearly every Sunday and I'd always used to have a ride on it.'

Andrea Sanders from Aylsham also has happy memories of the beach dewlling ellie.

'I was very young but got so excited when we went to Cromer as a Sunday School treat, once a year and saw him. As we did not have a car, I remember an aunt and uncle taking our family to Cromer and of course, seeing him again. I was convinced he was real and loved children to ride on his back!' she said.

'Well done Mr Gregory for keeping the elephant's memory alive.'

Some readers also sent in their pictures of other wheely elephants spotted across the county, including Denis Tyler from Hemblington who sent in some black of white snaps of Barney who would appear at the Norfolk County Show.