Businesses have joined forces to put The Brecks firmly on the tourism map after funding for a key publication was scrapped.

Elizabeth Truss, South West Norfolk MP, yesterday helped launch the new Brecks Explorer, a tourism and awareness-raising title for the area.

The publication was initially one of the projects created and delivered by the recently dissolved Brecks Partnership and had been produced with a Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) grant in 2012.

In absence of the funding, however, businesses decided to pull together to create the free 24-page guide to The Brecks, which they say is 'important' in highlighting the area as a tourist destination.

As part of this year's publication, it reveals for the first time the Brecks Food Festival programme, part of the EDP-sponsored Norfolk Food and Drink Festival later this summer.

Ms Truss said: 'What we know about The Brecks is that it has a large number of visitors but its identity is not as good as it should be. The Brecks Explorer helps to create that identity and show the brilliant things that are available in the area, whether that's food, local artists or the landscape.

'With the A11 opening this year, there's a huge opportunity to raise the profile of The Brecks across Norfolk and further afield.'

The Explorer, which was launched at Waitrose in Swaffham, was edited this year by Neil Featherstone, the former Brecks Partnership manager, assisted by Vanessa Scott of Strattons Hotel in Swaffham, a patron of the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival and a keen Brecks advocate.

Mrs Scott said: 'We needed to keep the Explorer going to hold those businesses together and shout about the area.'

Are you boosting tourism in the Swaffham area? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk