Hire boat firm Richardson's has been praised for stepping in as sponsor to ensure the continued publication of the Eating Out in the Broads guide.

This season's booklet, given out free to holidaymakers, was yesterday toasted with a new ale at its launch at Woodforde's Brewery in Woodbastwick.

The brewery's latest ale, Flagondry, available only during April, has been brewed to celebrate the Broads Authority's 25th anniversary.

Authority chief executive John Packman said: 'We have published the eating out guide for more than 10 years; it was initially quite a pioneering idea but has since been taken up by other places all around the country.'

Back then the idea of wanting to taste local food was a new thought whereas now it had become an important part of the holiday experience.

He said the BA had previously been using national park grant money to fund quality surveys for the food establishments in the guide so it was really important Richardson's had stepped in to help.

Thanking Woodforde's for its ale tribute, he said it was highly appropriate as the brewery epitomised what the Broads was all about - 'local, high quality and very special'.

Greg Munford, CEO of Stalham-based Richardson's, said the guide played an important role in enhancing the holiday experience.

He said: 'The experience every Richardson's customer has on holiday is heavily dependent, not only on ourselves, but on the quality and range of other attractions and importantly restaurants and eateries.

'When the opportunity arose to sponsor the Eating Out guide we jumped at it. This is a great publication produced by the Broads Authority which helps anyone holidaying or visiting the Broads to choose where to go when they fancy a meal on shore or even a takeaway fish and chips.

'We hope the wide distribution of this guide will promote the establishments included and reward those who have committed to the grading. We want people to enjoy the Broads by experiencing the magic that both the Broads and its tourism businesses have to offer.'

The guide covers everything from traditional pubs and speciality seafood restaurants to cosy riverside tea rooms; they all serve local ingredients and have been quality checked by independent assessors and awarded either gold, silver or bronze.

Flagondry, inspired by the dragonflies that are commonly seen in the Broads, is a golden, zesty ale using Norfolk's finest ingredients.

Woodforde's managing director Rupert Farquharson said: 'The pubs around the Broads play a key role in our region's tourism industry and we hope visitors to this beautiful part of the world will enjoy a refreshing pint of Flagondry - a true taste of Norfolk.'