Gareth Brown was announced as the new chairman of BID at its annual tourism and business lunch.

Mr Brown, who is the general manager of Caister Holiday Park, took over the role from David Marsh, who has played a big role with the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area for the past 20 years.

Mr Brown said he felt humbled to receive the new role.

He said: 'It is an honour to be part of the business lunch and I must say congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

'Working together we are so much stronger and I am privileged to be chosen to be the new chairman of the Tourism and Business Improvement Area.

'I have always believed the difference between 'try' and 'triumph' is a bit of 'umph'.

'The BID gives us that 'umph' - and the BID projects present many opportunities to support all businesses in the BID area and the BID Board are committed to making the BID work for tourism and business in the area.'

The lunch which was held at Great Yarmouth Town Hall, saw people from a wide range of organisations sit down for a three course meal, as awards were handed out to businesses across the borough.

Don Peers, was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long term contribution to tourism and business in the borough.

Mr Peers who runs Peers Premier Apartments on Yarmouth Road, in Caister said: 'I am extremely shocked to win this award and I did not see it coming.'

Throughout the event, representatives from BID spoke about projects they will be working on in the future.

One subject which was discussed at the awards was the possibility of an air show to be held in Great Yarmouth in June 2017.

Mr Marsh said: 'We are not underestimating the enormity of the task but have now laid some solid foundations to deliver an exciting four days for the borough.'

The BID are also working with Great Yarmouth Borough Council to turn a a £25,000 event spend into a £181,4382 spend supporting events including the Maritime Festival, fireworks in Great Yarmouth, Hemsby and Gorleston, Gorleston Christmas lights switch-on and a new Eating Out week.

They are also supporting smaller projects including UK Beach Volleyball, a film festival, arts festival and new for this year a national sailing regatta in Gorleston.

This was the first year in the 20 year history of the annual tourism awards that it was labelled as the Tourism and Business Awards.

The very first awards in 1997 involved Great Yarmouth Tourist Authority director John Ashton, visiting Vauxhall Holiday Park, Pirates Cove, Amazonia, the Winter Gardens and Potters Leisure Resort to present investment in tourism awards.

The following year the awards reception was held at the Imperial Hotel.

The first formal tourism awards lunch took place in the Assembly Room at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in 1999 where it has been since.'