Pete Waters, executive director for Visit East Anglia, explained the impact the weekend's rainfall has had on the tourism industry. He said: 'The poor weather undoubtedly impacted on some events but we're fortunate in Norfolk that so many of our attractions and holiday parks have weather-proofed their facilities to ensure rain doesn't stop play.

'Norfolk Museums Service also put on a wide range of indoor activity across the long weekend so it's a case of planning for all eventualities.'

He added: 'Our county's visitor economy doesn't have all its eggs in the Easter basket, but it's certainly disappointing for businesses. The key for us is to continue marketing ourselves as a superb year-round destination that can be enjoyed even if the sun isn't shining, and to encourage some of our 40 million day trippers to become stay visitors.'

Norfolk's visitor economy has grown 14pc since 2012 against an overall rise in England of 8pc.