A publishing company celebrating all there is to love about the region's rich history has moved back to its original home.

Poppyland Publishing, which began issuing local interest books in 1976, was initially based in Lowestoft before moving to Cromer in the early 1980s.

After spending more than 30 years on the North Norfolk coast under the stewardship of Peter Stibbons, the imprint was recently acquired by 59-year-old author Gareth Davies and made its official return to Suffolk on March 1.

Poppyland first came into being when Mr Stibbons wrote his first booklet and, in the ensuing years, more than 150 titles have been published.

Reflecting on the birth of Poppyland and the much-loved publisher's ethos, Mr Stibbons said: 'I found a local printer and produced my own booklet on the subject. Soon others were asking whether I would publish their work as well.

'The imprint specialises mostly in local history, and all the books and booklets must contain an element of primary research by the author.'

Mr Stibbons' literary contribution to the region was recognised at the East Anglian Book Awards in 2017, when he picked up the Exceptional Contribution Award.

Having retired aged 70, his friend and former colleague Mr Davies couldn't bear to see another regional publishing company fall by the wayside.

He will run the imprint from his home in Oulton Broad, providing enthusiastic authors with the means to have their work distributed.

'There are very few local publishers around these days and it's important that Poppyland continued for as long as possible,' said Mr Davies, who specialises in local 19th century history and has had several of his own books published by Poppyland.

'Peter has always said to me that two things are crucial: the books that we publish have to be rigorously researched, and we as a publisher must try to give people an opportunity to get their voice's heard.

'It's all about saying there is a whole range of local heritage that people can read about and celebrate.'

Mr Davies will now set about handling proposals sent to him by authors and historians. Books in preparation include booklets on Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft as part of the publisher's 'Town and Village' series.