North Norfolk saw its number of inhabitants fall by 0.06pc, from 103,280 to 103,217 last year.

Every other council area in Norfolk saw its population grow, although West Norfolk saw the lowest rise of any area in England and Wales, with an increase of just 0.003pc, from 156,201 to 156,206.

A quiet day in Stalham, a town in north Norfolk (Image: Newsquest)

The trends have emerged in demographic data released by the Office for National Statistics.

It shows that of 318 council areas in England and Wales, the population rose in 306 and fell in only 12.

Nationally, the biggest proportional drop was on the Isles of Scilly (2.75pc) - although it has a very small population - followed by the central London areas of Kensington and Chelsea (1.35pc),........

© Norwich Evening News