One venerable building which did suffer was Fakenham parish church whose impressive reredos screen behind its high altar was badly cracked.

The stone and plasterwork screen beneath the main east window depicts the church's patron saints, St Peter and St Paul, along with the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Six large cracks appeared and inspections by the church architect and its insurers have confirmed the quake as the root cause.

As a result the cost of its restoration will probably be covered by a combination of the insurers and the Heritage Lottery Fund. This is expected to total in the region of £26,000 and estimates are now being sought to carry out the delicate work.

Rector, the Rev Adrian Bell, said although the quake only lasted around six seconds it had caused damage to a number of Norfolk churches.

The Fakenham screen was added to the church during a major renovation period carried out by the Victorians in the 1860s. It has been largely untouched since then and is in a poor condition so the opportunity to repair and restore it is seen as a blessing in disguise.

Mr Bell thought it unlikely that the work would take place until some time next year.

Visitors to the Victorian-themed flower festival at the church from Thursday, October 2, to Monday, October 6, will have an opportunity to see the damaged reredos.