RED-FACED copywriters buried their heads in botched holiday brochures this week as it emerged that thousands of leaflets sent out to homes across the country had confused Great Yarmouth with its Isle of Wight namesake.

RED-FACED copywriters buried their heads in botched holiday brochures this week as it emerged that thousands of leaflets sent out to homes across the country had confused Great Yarmouth with its Isle of Wight namesake.

In a leaflet accompanying its main holiday brochure Warner Leisure Hotels gave trippers an extra reason to visit Norton Grange on the island - the 2010 Maritime Festival where shanty singers apparently mingle with colourful choirs along bustling South Quay.

The company's website even elevates Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight to Great Yarmouth, describing it as once the centre of the greatest herring fishery in the world.

Meanwhile the festival blurb is almost word for word the same as appears on Great Yarmouth's

official tourist site. It describes the festival as “a riot of colour and maritime music, featuring performances, shanty groups, folk bands, choirs and brass bands, traditional tall ships, expedition vessels. A steam drifter and life boats will be moored on South Quay to admire and go aboard.”

“Norton Grange,” it adds, “is the perfect place from which to enjoy this great event.”

But anyone staying at the

upmarket chalet resort would face

a whopping 243-mile, 10-hour round trip to attend the festival in September.

The error was spotted by Glenys Bright, of Gorleston, whose eyes were drawn to a familiar-looking picture of a tall ship.

“The bit about the maritime

festival caught my eye,” she said.

“And I thought it was odd that

they were having a festival at the

same time as our Yarmouth one and

on South Quay too. So I looked at

our local website and it is pretty much the same. Someone must have Googled it.

“It is amusing but they are also shooting themselves in the foot because they do have properties in north Suffolk within reach of our Yarmouth. Also our festival could do with the publicity too.”

Alan Carr, head of tourism at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, described it as “a serious crossing of wires by Warner,” adding: “It is going to be a heck of a round trip for anyone staying at Norton Grange - which looks a very nice place - to visit our Maritime Festival. However, anyone who does so can expect VIP treatment - and a seat. The champagne will be ready for them!”

Jim Forward, managing director

of Warner Leisure Hotels, said

the mistake made in a recent

mailing to regular guests did

confuse Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, with Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, adding: “While the people of the Isle of Wight would undoubtedly enjoy hosting such a great event, at the moment it is only Great Yarmouth that does so.

“Warner would like to reassure everybody that if you are interested in the Maritime Festival, we will make sure that you don't head the wrong way.”