Gorleston has got a new peer - after a Norfolk council leader took a title which reflects his seaside upbringing.

South Norfolk Council leader John Fuller was appointed to the House of Lords as a life peer in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Gorleston-on-SeaGorleston-on-Sea (Image: Mike Page)

He has taken the title of Baron of Gorleston-on-Sea - the town in which he grew up.

Lord Fuller said: "I was born in Great Yarmouth, but my family home was in Gorleston. It's where I grew up and my parents still live there, so I wanted to recognise that.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Lord FullerLord Fuller (Image: Parliament TV)

"Although I've settled in Brooke, Gorleston and Great Yarmouth are where my roots are."

Conservative Lord Fuller is Norfolk's longest-serving council leader, having led South Norfolk Council since 2007.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The House of LordsThe House of Lords (Image: Press Association)

He had previously announced he will stand down as council leader in May, but will continue as a district councillor for Brooke, which he has represented since 2003.

Lord Fuller was one of eight Tory nominations for life peerages put forward last month by prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Prime minister Rishi SunakPrime minister Rishi Sunak

He was made an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2019, for public and political service.

The 55-year-old is a former chairman of the District Councils Network, which represents more than 160 local authorities and vice chair of the economy and resources board at the Local Government Association.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Gorleston-on-SeaGorleston-on-Sea (Image: Antony Kelly)

The father-of-two serves as chairman of Great Yarmouth-based fertiliser business Brineflow Limited, having previously been director of J&H Bunn from 1998 until 2011.

A life peerage entitles Mr Fuller to sit in the House of Lords, where the work of the government is scrutinised by reviewing and amending House of Commons-approved bills before they become law.

NORFOLK PEERS

Lord Fuller joins a number of people from Norfolk who have seats in the House of Lords and one of four who chose territorial designations for their peerages.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Baroness ShephardBaroness Shephard (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Former South West Norfolk Conservative MP Gillian Shephard, who introduced Lord Fuller at Tuesday's ceremony is Baroness Shephard of Northwold.

And Inspiration Trust founder Theodore Agnew is Lord Agnew of Oulton, after the village near Aylsham, where he grew up.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Lord AgnewLord Agnew

Former West Norfolk borough councillor Greville Howard is Lord Howard of Rising - a reference to Castle Rising.

Other Norfolk peers include former Conservative North West Norfolk MP Lord Bellingham, former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt.

The Bishop of Norwich also sits in the Upper House as a Lords Spiritual, although he is not considered a peer.