We have had a busy and exciting year full of funding success for job creation projects.

That was the message from the leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council Graham Plant as he reflected on the past year and also what lies ahead for the borough.

Mr Plant gave his leader's speech in front of business leaders at the town hall this afternoon.

His speech described how businesses were investing in the borough, the third crossing investment, how the council was working to make a borough a better place to live and work in and he looked forward to what 2018 will bring, such as June's air show.

MORE; Red Arrows air show moveMr Plant highlighted Veolia-Peterson's new £1m decommissioning facility receiving its first offshore structure for recycling, the announcement of a £7m investment in the port led by Peel Ports and how Proserv is creating a £7m headquarters at Beacon Park.

Bur Mr Plant said the 'really big news' for the borough was the government's announcement that it would provide £98m towards a third crossing.

MORE; major port investment announcedHe said: 'This fantastic news from the government reflects huge confidence in the local and regional economies, the strength of the business case for the crossing and sterling lobbying work of many partners.'

Mr Plant also praised the merits of town centre masterplan to create an 'exciting and commercially realistic vision' for Great Yarmouth including a six day market, a shop front improving scheme which handed out £27,000 and the ice rink.

Looking to next year Mr Plant highlighted the two day air show in June, set to boost the economy by £10m, and urged business leaders to make sure they put the dates in their diaries and mentioned the work to restore the Venetian Waterways and boating lake.

MORE; Fullers Hill work delayedHe also said highways investment was important to the town centre's aspirations, and highlighted the completion of the Fuller Hill roundabout in the new year, train station improvement work and congestion reduction work on Vauxhall and Gapton Hall roundabouts.

Mr Plant said: 'With all these important parts of our economy - energy, tourism and retail - the council is playing an active role in helping to create the conditions to support investment, business opportunities, jobs and inclusive growth.'