It might not have entered the history books as one of the most impressive feats by the great scientists or explorers of our time.

But 20 years ago a reporter, radio presenter and scientist pooled their resources to answer one of the county's long-running questions: where is the exact centre of Norfolk?

Eastern Daily Press: Graham Barnard from BBC Radio Norfolk and reporter Ian Clarke search for the centre of Norfolk in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002.Graham Barnard from BBC Radio Norfolk and reporter Ian Clarke search for the centre of Norfolk in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002. (Image: Newsquest)

For many years, Dereham had boasted on its signs that it was the heart of Norfolk.

But in October 2002, the EDP chief reporter Ian Clarke, BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Graham Barnard and UEA scientist Dr John Nicholson officially confirmed that shoppers milling around the Dereham Tesco car park were at the true Norfolk Pole. 

The quest began after the BBC News Online service ran a feature to find the heart of the home nations - which was found in a farmer's paddock 11 miles from Meriden near Coventry. 

Eastern Daily Press: It's round here somewhere - BBC Radio Norfolk's Graham Barnard and reporter Ian Clarke search for the centre of Norfolk in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002.It's round here somewhere - BBC Radio Norfolk's Graham Barnard and reporter Ian Clarke search for the centre of Norfolk in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002. (Image: Newsquest)

Inspired by the national endeavour, BBC Radio Norfolk appealed to its listeners for suggestions for Norfolk's exact centre.

More than 70 people responded offering a variety of proposed candidates, by which point it was also on the Dereham Times and EDP newsdesk radar. 

Mr Barnard and his breakfast show colleagues called in Dr Nicholson who deployed a simple but effective process of hanging a meticulously cut-out map of Norfolk to find the true middle of the county.

When asked if this was the strangest request he had ever fielded in his scientific career, Dr Nicholson declined and said: "Someone once wanted to know why rats explode - which they don't of course!" 

Can you remember the public appeal to find the true heart of Norfolk? Perhaps you called in or contributed. Let us know in the comments below.

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Eastern Daily Press: BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Graham Barnard and reporter Ian Clarke go on a hunt to find the centre of Norfolk in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002.BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Graham Barnard and reporter Ian Clarke go on a hunt to find the centre of Norfolk in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002. (Image: Newsquest)

Eastern Daily Press: A moment when the whole nation should be proud: BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Graham Barnard and reporter Ian Clarke raise the Union Jack after reaching the centre of Norfolk, in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002.A moment when the whole nation should be proud: BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Graham Barnard and reporter Ian Clarke raise the Union Jack after reaching the centre of Norfolk, in the Dereham Tesco car park in 2002. (Image: Newsquest)