The hotel chain announces expansion plans across Norfolk which it says will create 100 new jobs.

North Norfolk News: Travelodge has opened a new hotel in Thetford. Picture: BEN PHILLIPSTravelodge has opened a new hotel in Thetford. Picture: BEN PHILLIPS (Image: All rights reserved, Ben Phillips Photography)

Travelodge has confirmed it plans to open a new hotel in Cromer.

The budget chain, which has just opened a new hotel in Thetford, revealed it is searching for four new sites across Norfolk which it says will create 100 new jobs.

As well as Cromer, it is also looking to expand in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn.

Gary Steele, Travelodge Regional Director said: 'The Norfolk economy is growing at pace, with the opening of Thetford Travelodge, we now operate six hotels across the county but with increasing visitor numbers to the area, there is still a shortage of good quality accommodation at a great value price. Therefore to meet this growing consumer demand we are looking for new hotel sites in: Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn and Cromer. These hotels will create 100 new jobs.'

Thetford Travelodge overlooks The River Little Ouse and has been built on the former site of the famous Anchor Hotel, an 18th century coaching inn that featured in the iconic BBC television programme, Dad's Army.

The very first scene of Dad's Army was filmed in the hotel's Norvic Room in 1968. The hotel was also a popular haunt for the cast during filming.

To mark the heritage site, the hotel chain has placed a bespoke plaque on the exterior hotel wall detailing Thetford's association with one of the UK's most iconic TV programmes, Dad's Army.