The age-old role of the Dukes of Norfolk has been honoured in this stunning gilt-edged carpet of flowers, unveiled at Arundel Cathedral yesterday.

Parishioners have spent months planning, designing and creating the 93ft display, whose theme was kept a closely- guarded secret until the last bloom was in place.

The crest of Edward William Fitzalan Howard, who became the 18th Duke of Norfolk last year, is picked out in scarlet and cream at the head of the trail, which has begun attracting hundreds of visitors to the cathedral to mark the Corpus Christi celebrations.

Spokesman Jim Mysercough said: "This year's design is a tribute to the new Duke of Norfolk and in honour of his father who died last year.

"We chose the design because a lot of people don't totally understand the significance of the Norfolk family in Arundel."

Hundreds of people packed the cathedral in July last year to pay their respects to the 17th Duke, Miles Francis Stapleton Fitzalan Howard, who died aged 86.

His youngest granddaughter told mourners how he loved to walk through the forest and look at snowdrops in the spring.