Thetford's tourist information facility is set to be saved - thanks to a family-run business that normally sells holidays out of the county.Civic leaders took the decision pull the plug on the town's TIC last month after it emerged that it was costing the town council £15,000 a year to run.

Thetford's tourist information facility is set to be saved - thanks to a family-run business that normally sells holidays out of the county.

Civic leaders took the decision pull the plug on the town's TIC last month after it emerged that it was costing the town council £15,000 a year to run.

But an independent travel agent is now set to promote Thetford's tourism offer as well as UK and overseas holidays from next month after striking a deal to retain a tourist information centre within the town.

The town council's TIC services, including bookings for the popular Dad's Army and heritage tours, are set to be transferred to 2newhorizons travel agency in the Market Place when its current location in White Hart Street closes on March 31.

The travel business, which was opened by David Brooks, his wife Zoe and daughter Gemma more than a year ago, will increase opening hours and aim to offer more tours for visitors.

Mr Brooks, said there was a “misconception” that travel agents just sold bucket and spade package holidays to the Mediterranean, but his family also wanted to promote tourism within the UK and locally.

“As a local family born and bred in Thetford, we were concerned that we were losing the TIC at a time when tourism in general is expanding in the area.

“We think it is an obvious and exciting extension of our business under the umbrella of travel and tourism and we want to make it financially viable for ourselves and benefit the town. I do not think that people appreciate what we have on our doorstep and we can play our part in enlightening the locals,” he said.

The new service at 2newhorizons in Pal House will be open 25 hours a week more than the town council-run TIC when it opens at the beginning of April after a refit.

Town manager Susan Glossop said Thetford Town Council was “very pleased” about the transfer and would be working closely with the independent business to ensure a seamless transition of TIC services and providing ongoing support to provide a “quality” tourism service in the town.