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Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Fakenham over the coming weeks, as the Norfolk town is set to host its biggest ever Christmas Tree Festival.

A total of 84 pine trees have been set up inside the parish church for the event, which began today, the Fakenham and Wells Times reports.

People from Cumbria, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire are expected to attend and the event may also be of interest to those staying in Norfolk holiday cottages during December.

More than 20,000 visitors travelled to the town last year, helping to raise £21,000 for charities and church funds.

And president of the Fakenham chamber of commerce Stuart Cuttler told the news source that the event also helps local businesses.

"This is a tremendous event and one [that] we should all support because there is a big spin-off for everyone," he stated.

Norfolk town Wells-next-the-Sea has also been getting into the festive spirit this week, as BBC Look East presenter Carol Bundock switched on the Christmas lights on Tuesday (December 1st), the Eastern Daily Press reported.

Posted by Andrew Hill

The Norfolk Coast Path National Trail and Peddars Way have been included on a list of walks recommended by Natural England.

It is encouraging people to get out and experience the countryside this Christmas by explaining that everyone lives no more than 50 miles from a National Trail, which offer "a great way of taking exercise and enjoying beautiful scenery".

Describing the route as a "Roman road [featuring] wide sandy beaches, dunes and salt marshes", the body said that you can take the Coasthopper bus service in order to see the most of the path, as this allows visitors to get on and off at various points in order to see the best parts of the county”s landscape.

Such an activity may be of interest to those staying in Norfolk holiday cottages during the winter, a season that Natural England said is "a great time to get out and about in the countryside and enjoy an exhilarating breath of fresh air".

Eastern Daily Press editor Peter Waters stated last month that Norfolk has enjoyed a "great year" of tourism during 2009 and praised the area”s countryside, coastline and "fantastic" range of attractions.

Posted by David Sollberger