A Norfolk lane is among ancient paths worn into the landscape over thousands of years which are being mapped for the first time.

Natural England has launched the first ever study of holloways - sunken lanes carved into the countryside by people, animals and carts, with tall banks and canopies of trees growing over them.

As well as being ancient byways, many are home to rare plants including varieties of ferns which thrive in their cool, shady climate.

Eastern Daily Press: Holgate Lane at West Runton, near Cromer, has been identified as a hollowayHolgate Lane at West Runton, near Cromer, has been identified as a holloway (Image: Google)

While the study has so far centred on Dorset, Andy Jefferies, one of the researchers working on the project, said Holgate Lane at West Runton, near Cromer on the north Norfolk coast had been identified as a holloway.

"It's only been identified using maps but it stacks up," he said. "The geology looks right and it's on a slope.

"They tend to be found anywhere you've got a tradition of movement of people, where you've got a bit of a slope and softer substrata, rock that wears out over thousands of years and the rain washes it out.

Eastern Daily Press: A hidden holloway, carved deep unto the countrysideA hidden holloway, carved deep unto the countryside (Image: Natural England)

"We're very interested in their extent across the country. These are fantastic, amazing valuable things but nobody's really noticed them."

Mr Jefferies said some of the lanes studied were "dark, mysterious places" carved 10m or more into the ground.

Others have been surfaced over the years and become country roads, like Hollow Lane at Shotesham, near Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Hollow Lane at Shotesham, near NorwichHollow Lane at Shotesham, near Norwich (Image: Jasper Copping)

"With a name like that I'd be suprised if it wasn't one," said Mr Jefferies. "I should imagine at least 50pc of them are metalled roads."

It is hoped the initial findings of the study will be published by the end of March.

"Nobody knows the full extent of them right across the UK," said Mr Jefferies. "So we are trying to collect them and create this map."

People are being asked to share pictures of holloways near them to build up a better picture of how many there are in Britain via Twitter using the hashtag #sunkenlanes.