CHURCHES, chapels, hospitals and halls are among the historic buildings opening their doors for Great Yarmouth Heritage Open Days.The free admission event, from Thursday to Sunday, will see a host of fascinating places open to the public that are normally hidden from view.

CHURCHES, chapels, hospitals and halls are among the historic buildings opening their doors for Great Yarmouth Heritage Open Days.

The free admission event, from Thursday to Sunday, will see a host of fascinating places open to the public that are normally hidden from view.

Highlights include the traditional kipper-producing HS Smoke House on Sutton Road, Mecca Bingo, housed in the ornate Regent Theatre; the Edwardian Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston, Thurne Windpump and Morse's Wind Engine Park, a little-known collection of fascinating wind engines at Repps-with-Bastwick.

Guided walks are taking place exploring the medieval town wall, the second most complete in the country, and Yarmouth's acclaimed Victorian and Edwardian seafront.

Visitors have a rare chance to see inside The Fisherman's Hospital on the Market Place, the Friends Meeting House on Howard Street South, Royal Assembly Rooms Masonic Lodge on Albert Square and the Royal Naval Hospital on Queens Road.

Special tours are taking place at more familiar visitor attractions, including Caister and Burgh Castle Roman forts, and the Elizabethan House and Tolhouse museums. Churches across the borough will be open to the public during the four day event too.

Some tours must be booked in advance on 01493 846346. Copies of the Heritage Open Days brochure are available online at www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/heritageopendays or from Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre, Marine Parade, and Yarmouth, Gorleston, Martham and Caister libraries.

Great Yarmouth Heritage Open Days are part of a nationwide event and supported by the borough council, Greater Yarmouth Tourism and English Heritage.