One of Norfolk largest stately homes has applied for permission to double the number of people it can cater for at concerts. The Holkham Estate, home to Viscount Coke, the Earl of Leicester, currently holds a licence to hold events for up to 10,000 people.

One of Norfolk largest stately homes has applied for permission to double the number of people it can cater for at concerts.

The Holkham Estate, home to Viscount Coke, the Earl of Leicester, currently holds a licence to hold events for up to 10,000 people.

But now it has asked North Norfolk Council to extend the limit to 19,999, just under a 20,000 limit which

would take it into another type of licence.

It comes as the estate plans for an upcoming Elton John concert, planned for June 14, for which 16,000 are currently on sale.

Mike Wyard, finance director for the estate, said: 'It has always been our intention to apply for a licence extension, as Holkham has steadily been growing as a concert and event venue over the past few years.

'The strong ticket sales for the Elton John concert have reinforced our need to gain extra capacity for this summer.'

It is expected the estate will learn if it can extend its capacity by the end of this month.

A statement from the estate said that it had always planned to

apply for the licence extension

from 10,000 to 19,999 and that considerable work had gone into the application.

The estate holds events including Holkham Country Fair which attracts some 60,000 visitors over two days.