A special service to mark the golden jubilee year of the Round Tower Churches Society was held at Norwich Cathedral.

The Dean, the Very Rev Dr Andrew Braddock, welcomed members of the society and representatives of four other church heritage groups to the service as well as Lady Dannatt, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk.

A former rector of Cringleford and the round tower church of St Andrew, Colney, in 2001, he led the service of festal evensong.

Since the Round Tower Churches Society was officially founded on September 1, 1973, it has awarded more than £400,000 in grants in the past half century to help maintain churches.

Norwich Evening News: Society members - from right to left), Stuart Bowell, chairman; Nik Chapman, treasurer, Kaye Davey,

It was fitting that the service was held in Norwich Cathedral because Norfolk has 124 of the country's 180 round tower churches. A further 38 are in Suffolk.

With a growing membership of more than 500, the society relies on subscriptions, donations and legacies to fund its grants to preserve these distinctive churches.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Cathedral Dean the Very Rev Dr Andrew Braddock at the Round Tower Churches Society service