They included a woman who runs a duck rescue service at Hunstanton, a gluten-free café and a bookshop on its High Street, its last remaining bank and a busy pharmacy.

Cynthia Easeman, the resort's mayor, bestowed the honours at Hunstanton's annual town meeting on Wednesday (March 25) night.

"I just wanted to support local businesses and people to give them some encouragement," Mrs Easeman said. "We're in hard times at the moment."

Tracy Halls, who set up a duck rescue service in her back garden, with Hunstanton mayor Cynthis Easeman (Image: Chris Bishop)

When the town's ducks fall on hard times, Tracy Halls and her Quackhouse Rescue group are on hand to help.

Mrs Halls founded the self-funded group in 2017, building aviaries in her back garden to rehabilitate birds before releasing them back into the wild.

"My eldest daughter found a small duckling, rescued that and we went from there," she said.

"It must be thousands of birds by now."

From left Anne JM and Adrian Norman, Cynthia Easeman and front of house manager Wendy Wright from the Spontaneous Cuppa (Image: Chris Bishop)

Adrian and Anne Norman opened the Spontaneous Cuppa café on the High Street after moving to the town three years ago.

"Our customers range from very young children and adults newly diagnosed with Coeliac disease, to those who have lived with disease or other conditions that restrict eating gluten for many years," said Mr Norman.

"Anne has an autoimmune disease that restricts her to a gluten and dairy-free diet so we set up the Spontaneous Cuppa so people like Anne could eat safely without fear of cross-contamination."

Adrian Eden and Anna Pugh from By The Book, with Cynthia Easeman (Image: Chris Bishop)

Adrian Eden and Anna Pugh launched By The Book, also on the High Street four years ago.

"It was a leap of faith, we were told people didn't read any more," said Miss Pugh. "But we saw the shop and thought 'let's just go and do it'.

"I think we've really made a mark in the community. You find books you didn't even know existed, people look for that book that they remember having as a child or a special book and that's really lovely - you don't get that online."

From left Kieran Raines and Sharon Slater from Nationwide, Cynthia Easeman and Chrissy Gotts from the bank (Image: Chris Bishop)

A special glass award will also be going on display at the Nationwide on Greevegate, which is Hunstanton's last surviving bank, in recognition of what Mrs Easeman described as "the kindness and help" they show to customers.

Hunstanton Pharmacy, on Valentine Road, was also honoured for delivering medicines to the housebound and sourcing medications which are in short supply.

From left Samantha Moore from Hunstanton Pharmacy, Cynthia Easeman, owner Anand Patel and staff member Siriwalee Chaisaeh (Image: Chris Bishop)

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