A seaside resort has become East Anglia's second town that actively promotes walking.

Eastern Daily Press: Cromer wins the Walkers are Welcome status. Picture: ANTONY KELLYCromer wins the Walkers are Welcome status. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

Cromer has become accredited as a Walkers are Welcome town which will help improve and maintain footpaths and provide better information about routes on offer from the town, among other things.

Organisers behind the new voluntary group hope the accreditation will boost business in the town and get more people from the community involved in walking.

The other East Anglian town part of the nationwide scheme is Swaffham and Aylsham is applying for accreditation.

Cromer Walkers are Welcome committee chairman Don Davenport said: 'We are delighted. It will hopefully generate more people in the town.

'We wanted to do this to overcome some of the prejudices people have when they come to Norfolk - that it is flat and boring. It is not. The landscape is varied and there are things that people can see that cannot be seen anywhere else in the country.

'We want to improve the paths and information relating to the paths.'

It took seven months to achieve the status, which required 600 signatures from the Cromer community backing the project.

The committee wants 'an army of volunteers' and hopes to become financially self-sustaining.

One of the group's initial aims is to improve a circular footpath out of Cromer and past Amazona Zoo, on Love Lane.

Mr Davenport added becoming a Walkers are Welcome town would create economic and health benefits.

To get involved email Mr Davenport on dongiraffe@btinternet.com.

Do you have a tourism story for north Norfolk? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk.