Tourists flocked from far and wide to take selfies in Norwich's stunning 47ft-long tunnel of light last Christmas - and this year it is set to shine even brighter.

https://twitter.com/NorwichBIDUK/status/897922162639679490

The tunnel of light attracted attention worldwide when it appeared on Hay Hill last November with its stunning Northern lights display as part of Norwich Business Improvement District's (BID) ambitious Christmas plans.

A video of the tunnel gained over ten million views and the city centre welcomed an extra 200,000 visitors in November compared to 2015.

Norwich Evening News: Tunnel of Light on Hayhill, Norwich. Picture: ANTONY KELLYTunnel of Light on Hayhill, Norwich. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Martin Blackwell, operations manager at Norwich BID said: 'The tunnel will be in the same position this year but we're doing a new programming with the 50,000 LED bulbs.

'The Northern Lights will return but we are also creating some new dynamic pieces which will bring out the oohs and the ahhs!'

Norwich Evening News: Tunnel of Light on Hayhill, Norwich. Picture: ANTONY KELLYTunnel of Light on Hayhill, Norwich. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Mr Blackwell added: 'When the BBC video of the lights got 1.2 million views in its first day and we saw all the people taking photos with it online we knew it had to return.

'People came from London and further afield last year and I think we can expect even more people to come and experience it in 2017.'

Norwich BID tweeted on Thursday morning: '3 months exactly until the #TunnelOfLight returns (16 Nov) for #Christmas 2017 - this time with added tiara & new light patterns!'

Norwich BID's Christmas project, which also included a market and projections on Norwich Castle and City Hall, won Campaign of the Year and BID of the Year at the Association of Town and City Management Awards in June.

But the light display last year wasn't without problems, as the tunnel was forced to close for the day when vandals cut the wires. Norwich BID was established in 2012 to improve the city centre for local businesses and the community - other projects have included the VisitNorwich app, city hosts and City of Stories murals.

The Norwich tunnel of light will be open on Hay Hill from Thursday, November 16 to Friday, January 6.