Cromer carnival queen cannot afford to live in the town

But Charlotte Spendlove, who will be coronated in August, cannot afford to live in the town because rents are too high.

The 25-year-old, who is assistant manager at the Crab Pot Cafe on Hamilton Road, said a one-bedroom flat in the town costs between £700 and £800 to rent per month.

She moved to Cromer two years ago and lived in a B&B before renting a one-bedroom flat - but she had to leave after three months.

Homes in north Norfolk - pictured is Jetty Street in Cromer. (Image: Anthony Kelly/Newsquest)

"I could not afford to pay the bills and the rent on my own," she said. 

In total, it was costing her £1,100 a month. 

"I had to work three jobs. I was working morning, noon and night. I was running on empty and I decided I couldn't do it anymore."

Ms Spendlove moved into a friend's house for a couple of months and is now living in Roughton, where the distance from Cromer - four miles (six km) - has been a source of frustration. 

"It's quite difficult, travelling to work. Luckily, the managers are great and they give us a lift every morning," she said.

Ms Spendlove would prefer to live in Cromer and it was "ironic" that although she is the carnival queen, she cannot afford to live in the town. 

"I love Cromer. It's so peaceful and everyone is so kind. I love how in summer it comes alive," she said. 

READ MORE: Norfolk council calls on government for urgent help with housing crisis

There are 55,000 homes in north Norfolk, but almost 6,000 are either long-term empty or second homes.

Last year, North Norfolk District Council wrote an open letter to the government, asking for support for local councils to buy land for affordable housing developments.

They also called for changes to national planning policy so developers offer more affordable homes in the future.