Brandon Lewis said for him the future was 'all about Great Yarmouth' as he outlined his priorities for the future.

The Conservative MP, who held on to the coastal seat with an increased majority, said he would be working to see through pledges to improve the A47, after £300m was promised by the coalition government to upgrade the major road, including the Acle Straight.

He said he would also be focusing on Scratby's coastal defences and pushing ahead with other seafront protection schemes across the borough.

Mr Lewis, who has already held fire, pubs and housing minister roles, said another area he would be looking at was offshore renewables, which is set for huge investment.

He said he wanted to make sure Yarmouth was 'ready' for this investment, which would bring 'more job opportunities'.

Education was another area he would be focusing on and said he was an 'unashamed fan' of the Inspiration Trust, which runs Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, Stradbroke Primary Academy and Cobholm Primary Academy, and is soon set to open Trafalgar College in the town – a much-needed secondary school that will specialise in maths and science.

'I want our education standards to be the best, not among the worst, then we really can take advantage of those opportunities that are out there,' he added.

Helping to open up Norfolk and Yarmouth with better transport and infrastructure links was also a priority and an issue he had already been working on with other county-wide groups.

The state of Yarmouth's town centre is often raised by residents as a concern, with a wish for more big names to move in and help regenerate the high street.

But Mr Lewis said this was really a council matter and he thought the borough authority needed 'to see sense' and cut parking charges.

That way, footfall would increase and businesses would be more likely to move in and invest in the town.