Council leaders at Waveney have approved a proposal to take a lead role on a project to attract more visitors to the Waveney Valley.

The council's cabinet agreed to take the helm of the second phase of the Waveney Valley Identity Project and provide �2,700 to the scheme between 2012 and 2014.

The second phase of the project could see the development of a food and drink festival, an online marketing campaign, plaques and signs for tourism businesses and the appointment of a Waveney Valley tourism officer.

The scheme is estimated to cost �84,000 with 90pc of the money coming from the Rural Development Programme for England.

South Norfolk and Mid Suffolk district councils are also providing funding for the second stage.

Waveney council papers say the second phase will 'enable the growth and development of the Waveney Valley; this will lead to increased visitors and improve the Waveney Valley as a place to live, work and rest'.

In 2010, the three councils began work on the Waveney Valley Identity Project which was launched in June last year.

Its first phase will see 40 road and 50 railway station signs being installed over this spring and summer.