A coastal resort has unveiled the first stage of its three-year expansion with a £2m set of deck houses for the summer season.

Caister Holiday Park, near Great Yarmouth, has opened 16 New England-style clapperboard units, which will be joined by 30 more over the next three years.

The expansion at the 110-year-old business comes as parent company Bourne Leisure has invested more than £30m in the area over the past six years in new accommodation, entertainment centres and sea defences at one of its sites.

General manager Gareth Brown, who is also chairman of Great Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area (GYTBIA), said: 'People's expectations about accommodation have changed.

'The days when people just slept in their room and spent the rest of the time in the entertainment complex have gone. They want to spend more time relaxing in their accommodation, having a barbecue, and going out to visit the area.'

It comes as the GYTBIA is using a £2.4m pot of levy money from 1,200 local traders to fund improvements and events in a bid to get more people staying in and returning to the area.

'Bourne Leisure's aims fit the objectives of the Business Improvement District, which promotes people working together for mutual benefit,' said Mr Brown.

Are you investing in your business? Email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk