A centre supporting stroke survivors and their families held an open day to raise awareness about the services they can offer.

The Stroke Association Great Yarmouth and Waveney Branch, based in Rotterdam Road, is also trying to highlight the difficulties stroke survivors face, as they marked stroke awareness month.

The centre gets around 430 referrals a year from the James Paget University Hospital's stroke ward and also speaks to friends, family, colleagues and neighbours of stroke survivors.

Information, advice and support co-ordinator Nick Turrell, 56, said: 'Having a stroke has huge implications.

'After a stroke, something like filling out forms becomes so difficult. People can have eye sight problems, cognitive problems, upper limb problems.

'And it can happen to anyone. Quite literally someone can be walking down the road and have a stroke. We supported a five-year-old girl at the centre before.

'There's been a big increase in people in their 40s and 50s having strokes too.'

The centre planted purple flowers in their garden area and invited service users past and present to enjoy puple cakes and help raise awareness on Tuesday, May 19.

For more, visit the centre at 161 Rotterdam Road or call 01502 534848.