A new drive has been launched to get more people to visit Norfolk's market towns and help them reach their full potential.

Bosses at Norfolk County Council want to get more people visiting the likes of Dereham, Fakenham, Thetford, Swaffham, Wymondham, Watton, Downham Market and Aylsham.

Swaffham is among Norfolk's market towns the conference will discussSwaffham is among Norfolk's market towns which will be discussed at the conference (Image: Mike Page)

A special conference has been organised for October, where people championing the towns will come together to discuss how best to revitalise them.

The council says such towns are crucial in Norfolk's rural areas, acting as places people can head for work, shopping, entertainment, health services and public transport.

Fabian EagleFabian Eagle (Image: Swaffham Town Council)

Fabian Eagle, cabinet member for economic growth at County Hall, conceived the idea for the conference.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the best of Norfolk’s market towns, celebrate the good work already happening and discuss what more we could be doing across the county."

He wants to to build on work which has been done through previous initiatives to breathe new life into market towns, including the Love Your Market Town initiative.

That scheme includes a fund, backed by Norfolk County Council and other councils, which offers grants of up to £2,000 to groups and businesses in Breckland and west Norfolk.

The conference will focus on ways to revitalise market towns, encouraging pride in place and increasing footfall to shops and businesses.

Businesses, organisations and councils from market towns across the county are invited to the event at Swaffham Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, October 1.

The event will feature a lunch from 12.45pm, followed by talks, panel discussions and networking drinks.

READ MORE: How have Norfolk's market towns changed over the last decade?

Business in Norfolk’s market towns which would like to attend the conference should RSVP by emailing econdev@norfolk.gov.uk as soon as possible.

While tickets are free, numbers are limited so will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.