Growing the Norfolk economy to create well-paid jobs and pushing for '21st century' transport links are among Norfolk Labour's election pledges.

The group also insists it will seek to improve education standards for children should it gain control of services at Norfolk County Council on May 2.

To achieve that aim Labour will have to make huge gains across the county, with the group currently holding five of the 84 seats at County Hall. The party's showing at the election could also be a barometer for public feeling towards the national Labour hierarchy.

Labour has used its manifesto to state it will make increasing economic development its top priority because 'everything else we want to do for Norfolk's people would flow from this'.

The party adds it will say no to 'further dangerous cuts' to fire stations and will establish a company to build small groups of houses throughout Norfolk. A travel card encouraging 14 to 19 year olds to receive reduced fares and use public transport is also mentioned, while they add museum charges will be halved 'in most cases'.

Norfolk Labour also claims the county has become a 'transport backwater' under successive Conservative governments and decades of Tory county rule.

George Nobbs, Labour group leader, said: 'The first thing we want to see is a marked change of attitude and culture. For years and years the Conservatives have been content to be third rate and we wouldn't be.

'Our view is the council is there to serve the people of Norfolk. There will be none of the arrogance that you get from the county council.

'It's not me saying they're arrogant, it's people like Henry Bellingham MP who are saying it.

'I hope we've produced a vision for Norfolk that's radically different for what the people have had to suffer over the past few years.'