Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg was Nelson's County's best PR man as he spoke of a 'stupendous' four days with his family on the North Norfolk coast.

On the recommendation of his political advisor, North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, Mr Clegg brought his wife Miriam and their three young sons to stay at the Michelin-starred Morston Hall and explore the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The family got lucky with the weather as the sun beat down for the four day Easter weekend.

And, according to Mr Clegg, they made the most of it.

He said: 'We've had an absolutely brilliant time. I couldn't recommend a Bank Holiday in Norfolk highly enough.

'The children loved it. From their first experience of crabbing in mudflats at Blakeney, walking on Holkham beach, lunch at Holkham Hall, seeing the wild flowers at Glandford and on the beach at Wells.

'We also looked around Stiffkey. The weather was brilliant and we had the perfect combination of very friendly people, beautiful scenery and a gorgeous coastline.'

Mr Clegg, who revealed that his grandfather was brought up in Norfolk, the son of a rural priest, added: 'We are sure to be back.'

He said he had been to Norfolk 'several times before', including Hickling Broad, and had 'wanted to spend some time' on holiday in the county.

The Liberal Democrat leader showed he was still partly on duty by saying: 'A bit of icing on the cake was that in various villages and rural roads I saw a fair number of bright orange Lib Dem posters.'

And he did take a break on Saturday to travel to Norwich for some campaigning in favour of the alternative vote, which is the subject of a referendum on May 5.

But he said: 'I did manage to switch off. The lovely thing is, with three little children you have to. They are quite rightly totally intolerant and we have to keep them entertained.'

He said the hosts at Morston Hall were 'incredibly friendly' and the food was 'just to die for'.

And he added that there were many reasons to holiday at home, saying: 'We've got a stunning country. We do go to Miriam's family in Spain each year, but we always try to take holidays closer to home.

'And you are rightly proud of Norfolk. As a place to admire, enjoy and relish, I think it's stupendous.'