IPSWICH-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is today fighting back for Suffolk by sponsoring the county's annual showcase.

IPSWICH-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is today fighting back for Suffolk by sponsoring the county's annual showcase.

The travel firm revealed its pride at backing the Suffolk Show.

A spokeswoman said: “Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are an established local company, based in Suffolk for 21 years, employing 150 people from the area.

“The Suffolk Show has a very fine reputation for the standard that it consistently maintains.

“The visitors come to the show not just from Suffolk but from further afield in East Anglia and from the Midlands.

“For our purposes being a sponsor gives us the opportunity to promote our company name. For instance in the Suffolk Show publicity, also we sponsor the show jumping grand prix in the main ring.”

The company, which boasts the popular Balmoral cruise liner, also uses the event to entertain clients and contacts.

The spokeswoman added: “It is also a wonderful opportunity for us, as a company, to show hospitality to a number of our clients who have supported us over the last year or so.

“It's a chance to talk to them in a relaxed and informal atmosphere and enjoy the agricultural and rural routes of the show.

“In addition to all of that we are able to show our support for the county of Suffolk.

“We have six retail travel shops in Suffolk, so there are very many local people who know our company and are pleased to see us at county events such as this.”

Is your firm fighting back for Suffolk? What do you think of the Suffolk Show? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk