Centuries-old rivalry between Cromer and Sheringham towns was put to rest on Tuesday when the two towns launched a joint publicity leaflet aimed at promoting tourism and fostering community spirit.

Centuries-old rivalry between Cromer and Sheringham towns was put to rest on Tuesday when the two towns launched a joint publicity leaflet aimed at promoting tourism and fostering community spirit.

A ceremony held on neutral ground at West Runton Station marked the official teaming up of the two towns, which, the leaflet says, offer an “unrivalled combination of things to do and places to see”.

The leaflet has photographs of beauty spots in each town, and signposts visitors to attractions ranging from Sheringham Park to the new Amazona zoo at Cromer.

It also has information about local theatres, museums, golf courses, walks and diary dates including carnivals and folk music and dancing festivals, as well as a history of the rivalry between the “Crabs” and the “Shannocks”, which dates back to the 1700s.

A group of Cromer dignitaries including mayor Hilary Thompson and deputy mayor Yvonne Nolan travelled to Sheringham to deliver the leaflets to the town's tourist information centre.

After being welcomed by their Sheringham counterparts, including mayor Noel Gant and town clerk Cherry Ashton, the group travelled to West Runton for the official launch, before taking the train to deliver leaflets at Cromer.

Mrs Thompson hoped the leaflet would mark the beginning of a good working relationship.

“We live in such a diverse area and we offer just about everything. If you want it, we've got it - 'we' being the operative word,” she said.

Mr Gant, who presented Mrs Thompson with a framed, self-penned poem on the “Crab Wars” to mark the occasion, said: “I hope the leaflet will not only do something for tourism, but also engender a community spirit, which I think both towns need.”