Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has today given his backing to our call to arms for people to support the region's tourism industry.

We teamed up with bosses from the tourism sector in Saturday's paper to urge people to get out and about and make the most of the many varied but fantastic attractions in the region.

The call was made to coincide with the start of Easter, which is likely to be a key period for those whose livelihoods rely on tourism, after several wet summers and a freezing start to the year.

Today, Mr Clegg told of his 'busy days outdoors' when he visited Norfolk for his holiday two years ago – and how he returned for a pint at the King's Head in Letheringsett with colleague Norman Lamb earlier this year.

He said: 'It's great to be able to back the campaign for taking a break in Norfolk. The county is a great place to holiday – whatever time of the year – and I have some wonderful memories of our family holiday in Morston two years ago.

'Every minute we spent was filled with fun, from building sandcastles on the sunny, windy and beautiful Holkham beach, before having a sandwich in the café at the historic Holkham Hall, to crab catching with Miriam and the boys. The amazing food at Morston Hall was a welcome and relaxing end to a busy day outdoors in some of Britain's most beautiful spots.'

If every family pledged to make just one extra trip to a local attraction or area over the next few months it would make a massive difference to the industry.

Mr Clegg added: 'Three-quarters of the coastline in north Norfolk, where we stayed, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has been there.

'With 11 beaches on the Norfolk coastline in the Good Beach Guide, there's no doubt it's the perfect place to take the family. But if you don't want to spend all your time on a beach, you can explore the picturesque countryside and call in on some fantastic local pubs.

'This year I revisited one, the King's Head in Letheringsett, where Miriam and I had taken the kids for a fantastic pub lunch, but this time for a pint with landlord Chris Coubrough and local MP Norman Lamb.

'Whether you want pubs, beaches or beautiful country-side, Norfolk has it all.'

Tell us your favourite Norfolk, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire spot and send us your pictures of them. Write to Stephen Pullinger, Tourism Correspondent, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich. NR1 1RE or email stephen.pullinger@archant.co.uk