Leading lights of the region's tourism industry have urged people to make the most of our 'wonderful' attractions this Easter.

Work has gone on round-the-clock to repair tidal surge damage, holiday bookings have been strong and businesses are anticipating a bumper fortnight. And attractions across Norfolk and Suffolk are ready to welcome crowds of smiling visitors.

Angie Fitch-Tillett, North Norfolk District Council cabinet member for coastal issues, said the authority had honoured its pledge to get as much of the coast as possible ready for the Easter holidays.

She said: 'North Norfolk is definitely open for business and we are looking forward to people coming to see us. The contractors have mainly left the promenade at Cromer and will return to complete the job in October.'

Although visitors will not be able to rent out beach huts in Cromer, as many were swept away with the storm surge, the footpath at Blakeney has been replaced and the shingle bank at Cley has repaired itself.

Bernard Reader, chairman of the Waveney Tourism Forum, who runs Heathland Beach Caravan Park in Kessingland, said: 'After the very good weather last year, the bookings are coming in and we are anticipating a busy Easter and spring bank holiday.'

Some Lowestoft businesses suffered flooding during the tidal surge and part of the sea wall, near the South Pier, was damaged by the winter storms.

Mr Reader said many of the businesses had now recovered and, although a 300m stretch of beach is closed for repair works, there was still 1,000m of sand for visitors to enjoy.

In Great Yarmouth, the season is getting under way, with the Pleasure Beach fully open today and seafront businesses getting busier.

Gary Smith, who runs the award-winning Kilbrannan Guest House on Trafalgar Road with his wife Julie, said the east coast had 'something for everyone'.

'Not only do we have the seafront and amusements in Great Yarmouth, but the food in Norfolk must be some of the best in the UK and the standard of accommodation has improved enormously over the years.'

Nick Bond, head of tourism at Visit Norwich, said: 'The tourism season really gets under way at Easter and it shouldn't just be visitors having all the fun in Norwich and Norfolk; there's stacks here for people who are lucky enough to live here to enjoy, indoors and out.'

Jeremy Owen, from the National Trust, said: 'All of our places will be open this weekend and offering a great day out for the whole family.

'Those with a curious mind will love exploring our big houses at Oxburgh, Blickling and Felbrigg, with myriad discoveries waiting inside. The estates also look stunning this time of year with daffodils and other spring flowers in bloom.'

Mark Noble, commercial manager at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, near Fakenham, said visitor numbers had been positive.

Mary Rudd, on behalf of the Holkham Estate, which owns Beach Café in Wells, said: 'The good weather has really helped and got lots of people out walking on the beach and we were packed out for Mother's Day.'