THE intention of Great Yarmouth tourism officer Alan Carr was clearly not to go big with the launch of this summer's What's On guide.Rather than doing anything on a grand scale, yesterday's photographic shoot went ahead with tourism guides produced to a 1:12 scale - displayed by Lilliputian characters in Merrivale Model Village's new high street.

THE intention of Great Yarmouth tourism officer Alan Carr was clearly not to go big with the launch of this summer's What's On guide.

Rather than doing anything on a grand scale, yesterday's photographic shoot went ahead with tourism guides produced to a 1:12 scale - displayed by Lilliputian characters in Merrivale Model Village's new high street.

The thriving seafront attraction was chosen for the launch as a model example of the widespread investment currently going on in Yarmouth.

As well as the new high street - complete with working tram system - this season's visitors will also discover a new watermill, fire station, zoo building and stately hall.

The latest additions have been made by the same craftsmen from Somerset firm Doinlane who built the Merrivale Castle last year, and make models for Mini Europe in Brussels.

Village owner Peter Williamson said: “Since we took over in January 2004 we have transformed the village and increased visitor numbers from 18,000 to last year's record of 43,500.”

Mr Carr said they had increased the number of full-size guides printed more than three-fold - to 400,000 this year - to encourage more visitors into the resort from a wider geographical area than ever before.

The guide includes money-off vouchers as well as a complete listing of attractions.