NORFOLK is a county not noted for its by-passes, but it seems one has been sneaked in with little fuss – to its sense of humour!Civic leaders from its county council and Norwich City Council have declared war on the BBC's comic icon Alan Partridge.

By Paul Geater

NORFOLK is a county not noted for its by-passes, but it seems one has been sneaked in with little fuss – to its sense of humour!

Civic leaders from its county council and Norwich City Council have declared war on the BBC's comic icon Alan Partridge.

Meanwhile everyone else has been asking them: "Hiv yew got a laugh, boor?"

Councillors have blamed Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge for Norwich losing its bid to be "European City of Culture" and for Norfolk's image as being populated by "yokels."

The only thing they haven't blamed him for – yet – is Norwich City failing in last year's play-off final, although that might still come!

They're concerned that the comedy show "I'm Alan Partridge," set in the fictional Radio Norwich, is sending the wrong image of the area to viewers across Britain.

The mickey-taking has so annoyed one Norfolk councillor, he has tabled an official question in which he says the show portrays the county as "a backwater populated by yokels".

Labour councillor Charles Joyce, 49, is also urging the council to invite Alan Partridge to come to Norfolk and view "positive" aspects of the county.

Mr Joyce wants the 'Radio Norwich' DJ to see the Nar/Ouse Regeneration Area (Nora), where a rundown part of King's Lynn is being transformed.

Quite how seriously Alan Partridge would regard a project called Nora isn't explained!

The Alan Partridge show has also led Norwich city councillor Andy Pearmain to blame its negative image of Norwich for the city losing out in the race to be shortlisted for European capital of culture.

Mr Pearmain – the man who led the council's campaign against "dangerous" conker trees – reckoned the show had put off judges who looked at various cities' claims for the accolade in 2008.

Norwich also achieved national notoriety for having the shortest double yellow lines in the country – an 18-inch section of a road was painted, presumably to prevent anyone parking their Dinky toys there!

Most people thought that a city whose best pub is called The Murderers and whose nightlife is centred on Tombland needed a good sense of humour!

But not everyone in Norfolk takes the jibes so seriously.

County council leader Alison King said: "Norfolk is a fantastic place, the people who live here are extremely welcoming and we have a wry sense of humour too.

"I'm an Alan Partridge fan and he and his team are welcome here at any time."