A Dereham bowls club welcomed players of national repute to its home ground as it celebrated the milestone of its 50th anniversary on Saturday.

St Nicholas Bowls Club, off St Withburga Lane, invited the Bowls England Club to play a special celebration match as the highlight of Dereham's half-century year.

And players travelled from as far afield as Cornwall to take part, with representatives from a total of 14 counties competing in the bright summer sunshine.

Guests also included Breckland Council leader Michael Wassell, Dereham's deputy mayor Linda Goreham and her husband, fellow town councillor Robin Goreham.

Organisers described the day as 'a great success with a most friendly and enjoyable atmosphere'.

The Bowls England president Adie Lloyd congratulated the Dereham club on its 50-year achievement and thanked club chairman John Hunt and captain Tom Hall for their welcome and a great day of bowling.

Mr Wassell and Mrs Goreham also gave their congratulations and expressed how pleased they were to have been a part of the celebrations. More highlight events for the year include a planned game against the Royal Household Bowls Club at Windsor.

Mike Fox, of St Nicholas Bowls Club, said: 'The club is now looking forward to the next 50 years. We are in a great position in the middle of town, membership is at its best in several years, and we still welcome new members of either sex, young and old alike.'