Sheriff of Norwich Chris Higgins presented a hamper of Norfolk-made goods to a special arrival jetting in on a new Flybe service from Newquay in Cornwall today.

Mr Higgins presented the hamper, donated by Wroxham Barns to John Fitter, a Cornwall councillor and member of Newquay Airport, who in return brought a giant Cornish pasty to mark the new East-West link, while passengers were also handed Norfolk-made fudge.

The twice weekly service, which will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays until September 27, is aimed primarily at the leisure and tourism market, as well as business users, and it is hoped that the 75 minute journey time will prove an appealing alternative to the lengthy cross country road and rail trip.

The service, which will be operated directly by Flybe using a 78 seater Q400 aircraft, follows the launch of new domestic routes this year from Norwich under the Flybe banner and operated by Loganair, including increased flights to Manchester and Exeter, and new services to Southampton and the Isle of Man.

Andrew Bell, chief executive at Norwich International Airport, said: 'We've always said that the key for this airport is to identify routes that can be sustainable.

'This service compliments the re-introduced Norwich-Exeter route and together, these new services will offer convenient and inexpensive travel between East Anglia and the West Country for the holidaymakers and business travellers of East Anglia.'

Nick Bond, Head of Tourism at VisitNorwich said: 'While the trend for holidays at home grows the new Newquay to Norwich route makes travel from the heart of the West Country to Norwich and the Norfolk Broads an even more enticing proposition.'

Flybe UK Managing Director, Andrew Strong, said: 'We are strongly committed to the South West and to growing the number of destinations we offer from Newquay. The launch of our direct services to Belfast City, Newcastle and Norwich sees us responding to consumer demand, creating convenient and improved transport links to and from Cornwall.

'These new routes offer benefits for both leisure and business travellers and highlight Flybe's commitment to giving our customers as much travel choice as possible and generally, to 'making flying better'.'

Ian Russell, director of Wroxham Barns said: 'We wish Flybe success with the new Norwich to Newquay route and are looking forward to welcoming visitors from Cornwall to the Broads.'