A regional publisher has vowed to “fight the corner” of businesses it covers after expanding an awards scheme it runs.

Archant has made the pledge following the first East of England Tourism Awards for two years.

The scheme previously covered Norfolk and Suffolk, but Archant has now expanded it to include the whole of East Anglia.

Laura Adams, Archant’s director of content development, opened last Thursday’s event at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

The winners at this year’s awards

She said: “Archant’s purpose is to build communities and live events enable us to do this in the most vibrant and engaging way.

“I had so many conversations with business leaders who are looking forward with such optimism after an exceptionally challenging time for the tourism sector.

“Our aim is to support them, fight their corner and share their successes which we’re proud to do across our digital platforms and newspapers each and every day and through very special and massively memorable live events such as this.

“We’re also delighted to have extended the event beyond Norfolk and Suffolk to celebrate outstanding achievements in Cambridgeshire and Essex too.”