About 100 people gathered to watch a well-staged passion play in the grounds of Cromer parish church.

North Norfolk News: About 100 people watched a passion play in the grounds of Cromer church. Pictures: David BaleAbout 100 people watched a passion play in the grounds of Cromer church. Pictures: David Bale (Image: Archant)

Tourists and locals alike stopped what they were doing to either sit on the grass or stand for the moving Good Friday event.

The organisers used drama, words and music to re-tell the story of the first Good Friday, including the drama of Jesus's trial and crucifixion.

Lay minister David Masters said: 'I was surprised by how many people watched us. It was a great crowd.

'Whatever they were doing before it, we obviously captured their attention, and they stayed for the whole play, which lasted about half an hour.'

North Norfolk News: Cromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria PertusaCromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

The play has been performed in the church grounds for about five years, he said.

'For the last few years the weather's been freezing,' he added.

'Probably, the good weather was one of the reasons there were so many people watching.

'We used to do a Walk of Witness in the town, but after a while we realised that was not blessing the town. It was stopping the traffic and affecting shopkeepers, so we thought, why not do a passion play in the grounds of the church? The plan was to re-enact events from nearly 2,000 years ago to speak to the people. As a church we want to support the community.

North Norfolk News: Cromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria PertusaCromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

'A lot of thought and planning went into the event, and people put a lot of effort into it. Jesus died to bring us life.

'Looking at the crowd I would say about a third were church people, and the rest were tourists.'

At the end of the play people were urged to stay for a hot drink and a hot cross bun.

North Norfolk News: Cromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria PertusaCromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk News: David Masters, Lay Reader/ Minister. Picture: Victoria PertusaDavid Masters, Lay Reader/ Minister. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk News: Cromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria PertusaCromer@TheCross used drama, words and music to retell the story of Good Friday. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)