David BaleSix churches are the latest recipients of new heritage signage in the Elm Hill and Timberhill areas of Norwich, aimed at promoting and celebrating the area's rich histories.David Bale

Six churches are the latest recipients of new heritage signage in the Elm Hill and Timberhill areas of Norwich, aimed at promoting and celebrating the area's rich histories.

Norwich Heart (Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust) said the installation of the signage was the latest stage in a project developing the local distinctiveness of the area, following the production of walking trail booklets and installation of blue plaques and street name plates earlier this year.

Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of Norwich Heart, said: 'These signs are another way of making our local heritage more accessible to people.

'So often these days we are in a hurry and rush passed these beautiful streets and buildings, but we hope that people will take the time to use the information on the signs to discover both significant sights and hidden gems in the two areas.'

The churches with new signage are All Saints, St George Tombland, St John Timberhill, St Mary the Less, St Peter Hungate and St Simon and St Jude.

As reported, Heart secured �250,000 from the East of England Development Agency for the project, which involves heritage interpretation initiatives including blue plaques, street plates and heritage 'totem' signs as well as public realm improvements.

Elm Hill and Timberhill were selected since they encapsulate two of the city's principal economic offers - speciality retail and heritage.

The new signage is also part of a wider series being rolled out by Norwich Heart to all the city's medieval churches to help promote and celebrate them and broaden access to them.

To date a third of the city's 31 standing medieval churches are covered, complementing Heart's recently published book The Medieval Churches of the City of Norwich.