The reaction to Norfolk Day was as enthusiastic as it was overwhelming as individuals, businesses, TV personalities and politicians from around the county showed their support for the July 27 initiative.

Eastern Daily Press: Presenter Nick Conrad left, chats to chef Charlie Hodson at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch of Norfolk Day in Dereham's Market Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPresenter Nick Conrad left, chats to chef Charlie Hodson at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch of Norfolk Day in Dereham's Market Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

#NorfolkDay shot to the top of Twitter's UK trending topics soon after the official launch yesterday morning.

The event, which is backed by the EDP, Norwich Evening News and BBC Radio Norfolk, was widely welcomed with the story making the national news.

Editor David Powles said the feedback had been staggering. 'We're absolutely delighted at the early reaction we've had to Norfolk Day – beyond what even we were expecting. What we all need to make sure now is that this good will translates into action and activities when the big day comes along - and that people make sure they tell us what they are doing of course.'

Norfolk Day is being billed as an opportunity for the county's residents and businesses to show how proud they are to live here, and day in which everyone is encouraged to get involved.

Eastern Daily Press: Supporters at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch of Norfolk Day in Dereham's Market Place, from left, front, Mel Cook, VisitNorwich, and Ian Clarke, Archant head of news. Back, Peter Cook, Radio Norfolk and Radio Suffolk editor; Dave Powles, EDP editor; Nick Conrad, Radio Norfolk presenter; and Chris Sargisson, chief executive Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSupporters at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch of Norfolk Day in Dereham's Market Place, from left, front, Mel Cook, VisitNorwich, and Ian Clarke, Archant head of news. Back, Peter Cook, Radio Norfolk and Radio Suffolk editor; Dave Powles, EDP editor; Nick Conrad, Radio Norfolk presenter; and Chris Sargisson, chief executive Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Companies, individuals, communities, attractions and organisations are encouraged to put their thinking caps on and come up with ways to celebrate their pride and passion for Norfolk.

Chris Sargisson, chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, urged businesses to get behind Norfolk Day.

'We need to change the perception of Norfolk. We all know that it is a great place to live and work, but much of the outside world isn't aware of this.

'We have a diverse and dynamic business community and we need to do more to celebrate our success and potential.'

Eastern Daily Press: Peter Cook, editor of BBC Radio Norfolk and Radio Suffolk, supporting Norfolk Day at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch in Dereham's Market Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPeter Cook, editor of BBC Radio Norfolk and Radio Suffolk, supporting Norfolk Day at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch in Dereham's Market Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Mr Sargisson said the county had 'highly successful' insurance and professional services sectors and was also a world leader in food science and agri-tech thanks to the Norwich Research Park, Quadram and John Innes Centre.

'Norfolk should be very proud of our successes to date, but must be much more vocal about what we can achieve.

'I would urge all Norfolk businesses to get involved with Norfolk Day and show the rest of the world just how good we are.'

Simon Kindleysides, a paralysed father-of-three from Blofield chosen to help judge BBC One's singing contest All Together Now, said Norfolk Day would help put the county on the map.

Eastern Daily Press: Charlie Hodson, executive chef at the Fur & Feather, supporting Norfolk Day at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch in Dereham's Market Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCharlie Hodson, executive chef at the Fur & Feather, supporting Norfolk Day at the Eastern Daily Press and Radio Norfolk launch in Dereham's Market Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

'I think people from Norwich and Norfolk in general are not given that much credit – as in career-wise. If you say you are from London and places like that then you instantly have recognition for that, so I think to celebrate that you are from somewhere like Norfolk, Norwich or Dereham is very important.'

The initiative also received the support of VisitNorwich, with interim head of tourism Melanie Cook saying: 'Norfolk day is going to be very positive for the county in terms of people focusing on a day about Norfolk and then really celebrating all that it offers.

'It's a day we can focus and think about what the county offers in terms of everything it provides, whether that is tourism or industry or arts and culture.'

She said there was plenty to celebrate about living in Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Day Cromer beach and pier GENERIC Picture: ANTONY KELLYNorfolk Day Cromer beach and pier GENERIC Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

'We are lucky we have an amazing medieval city in Norwich with some incredible attractions and restaurants, yet half and hour later you could be on the Broads on a boat sailing away where it is tranquil and beautiful and so calming, then another half hour away you could be on a massive expanse of beach, walking and enjoying all the fun of the seaside.'

Speaking at the Norfolk Day launch in Dereham, BBC Norfolk editor Peter Cook said: 'The BBC wanted to get involved because we feel this is such a great county and we do such a poor job of shouting about it and telling everybody else what we've got here.

'Not just the beautiful heritage and the wonderful landscape and countryside, but we've also got a really thriving industry as well as some great new businesses and a fantastic arts scene, with new musicians, comedians and brilliant artists across the county.

'We need to tell the rest of the world about it.'

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Day Happisburgh Lighthouse GENERIC Picture: ANTONY KELLYNorfolk Day Happisburgh Lighthouse GENERIC Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Nick Conrad said: 'Norfolk is special for so many reasons - it's a unique and diverse county with wonderful people and heritage, I'm so proud to be from Norfolk.'

Details of events and those taking part will be revealed in the newspaper, online and via social media. To get involved email norfolkday@archant.co.uk, tweet @norfolk_day or log on to the Norfolk Day Facebook group.

Show your support for Norfolk Day

The black, white and gold colours from the official Norfolk flag form the basis for the Norfolk Day logo.

The county got an official flag in 2014 after a design dating back nearly 1,000 year was registered. The flag features the banner of the arms attributed to the First Earl of Norfolk, Ralph (Ranulph) de Gael (de Guader), from 1071 to 1075. Based on the flag, the Norfolk Day logo will feature on a range of marketing paraphernalia.

Consumer and business starter packs with marketing material will be available to buy in the run up to July 27.

Business packs, which will retail for £20, will include bunting, eight hand held flags, eight posters and 20 balloons.

A slightly cheaper consumer pack, which will sell for £12, will include bunting, four hand held flags, four posters and 10 balloons.

Details of where to buy packs will be made availabe next week.

To register interest email norfolkday@archant.co.uk

OPEN announces Norfolk Day event

OPEN in Norwich has been one of the first organisations to throw its doors open to Norfolk Day events.

OPEN chief executive John Gordon-Saker said the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra would be playing on July 27 along with an International Youth Orchestra.

He said tickets would go on sale soon while further details of the event would be released in the coming weeks.

Mr Gordon-Saker said they were also looking at holding other events and putting together a Norfolk-themed menu for the cafe on the day.

Based in the heart of Norwich, OPEN is home to a multi-purpose venue which provides live music and venue hire for conferences, meetings and events.

It was established in 2005 to provide opportunities for young people in Norfolk.

Mr Gordon-Saker said event rooms would be available to hire for Norfolk Day themed events and anyone interested can contact him at john@opennorwich.org.uk