A family of keen horse riders have shared stunning pictures of a lockdown sunrise taken off the Lowestoft coast.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Sydney and Louise on their horses Marge and Matrix. Photo: Jane AllardSydney and Louise on their horses Marge and Matrix. Photo: Jane Allard (Image: Archant)

On a clear Sunday morning, Jane Allard from Oulton Broad rode down to Corton beach with family and friends at 3.45am to catch the beautiful morning sunrise in June.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: From left to right: Cody, Louse, Charlotte, Elsie and Sydney on their horses as they caught the 4.30am sunrise on Corton Beach during lockdown. Photo: Jane AllardFrom left to right: Cody, Louse, Charlotte, Elsie and Sydney on their horses as they caught the 4.30am sunrise on Corton Beach during lockdown. Photo: Jane Allard (Image: Archant)

She said: “Nature became so much more appreciated during the height of lockdown when all we could really do was enjoy its company.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Sydney and Louise on their horses Marge and Matrix. Photo: Jane AllardSydney and Louise on their horses Marge and Matrix. Photo: Jane Allard (Image: Archant)

“We wanted to do something different with the kids to experience that while they’ve been unable to go to school.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ms Allard said it was lovely to experience nature at its most peaceful while the country was in lockdown. Photo: Jane AllardMs Allard said it was lovely to experience nature at its most peaceful while the country was in lockdown. Photo: Jane Allard (Image: Archant)

“The horses were their lifeline during that period. My eldest daughter Sydney, who’d be competing in horse riding competitions with her sister Elsie if it wasn’t for lockdown, would go and muck out the stable whenever she got the chance.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The husbands of the three families with their dogs, who also ventured along at 3.45am to catch the morning sunrise. Photo: Jane AllardThe husbands of the three families with their dogs, who also ventured along at 3.45am to catch the morning sunrise. Photo: Jane Allard (Image: Archant)

Ms Allard added: “I work in the NHS and my husband is a fireman. We’ve been on call all the way through the pandemic and it was nice to grab any moment to take a step back from that.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Elsie (right) and Charlotte, riding their horses Archie and Hugo. Photo: Jane AllardElsie (right) and Charlotte, riding their horses Archie and Hugo. Photo: Jane Allard (Image: Archant)