The name of a Norfolk road has been changed due to historical allegations of child sex abuse. 

Canon Wake Court in Catfield, near Stalham, has been renamed Oak Tree Court by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC). 

The allegations concerned Canon Horace Wake, who served as rector of the village’s All Saints Church for 29 years until his death in 1971.

North Norfolk News: The former Canon Wake Court in Catfield, now renamed Oak Tree CourtThe former Canon Wake Court in Catfield, now renamed Oak Tree Court (Image: Denise Bradley)

A spokesperson from the Diocese of Norwich said their safeguarding team had received “non-recent allegations of abuse”.

READ MORE: New £12m water pipe to be installed in north Norfolk

The spokesperson said: "We are fully supportive of the road name being changed and are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused local residents.

"We have paid £200 to each resident of the road in compensation for any administrative inconvenience caused by the name change."

North Norfolk News: The road sing at the former Canon Wake Court in CatfieldThe road sing at the former Canon Wake Court in Catfield (Image: Denise Bradley)

AN NNDC spokesman said the name was changed on June 1, following a consultation with residents. 

READ MORE: Near misses on neighbourhood road prompt children's safety posters

He said: “The district council has notified all relevant parties through established processes for the naming of streets in the North Norfolk district.”

One of the victims of the alleged abuse - who wished to remain anonymous - said the incidents had still left their scars many years later. 

North Norfolk News: All Saints Church in CatfieldAll Saints Church in Catfield (Image: Google StreetView)

He said: “I am very pleased that this has been done. Everybody will deal with child sex abuse in their own way. 

“You have to make your own decision about when the time is right to do something. When I’ve been to seminars before, I’ve learned that for some there is never the right time. 

READ MORE: Shocking before-and-after photos show extent of devastation to Norfolk coast

“They will lock it away and keep it there, and it’s a part of their life that is forgotten.”

Norfolk Police said they had received one report in relation to Wake, but no further action was taken because he was already dead. 

The Diocese said anyone with safeguarding concerns, or who wanted to make disclosures regarding church-related abuse, is encouraged to contact the diocesan safeguarding adviser on 01603 882345 or safeguarding@dioceseofnorwich.org.

The independent support service Safe Spaces can also be reached on 0300 3031056 or safespaces@firstlight.org.uk.