Partnership to promote growth in Norfolk and Suffolk

The government has given the go-ahead for business people in Norfolk and Suffolk to set up a partnership to promote economic development.

A joint local enterprise partnership (LEP) will replace the abolished regional development agency.

Peter Barry, managing director of Great Yarmouth based Pasta Foods, who championed the New Anglia LEP said the aim was to create thousands of jobs.

"The partnership will unlock enormous economic potential," he said

The new partnership hopes to involve the region's 60,000 businesses and 1.5m people.

New Anglia has set up a website for individuals, groups or businesses to log on, sign in and put forward and explain their priorities for the economic future of the region.

"It is right that the new Local Enterprise Partnerships are business led," Andy Wood, chief executive of Adnams and chairman of Choose Suffolk said.

"As businesses we know that the number one priority is listening to our customers."