A brand new comprehensive guide to the River Waveney was launched in a ceremony beside the river on Wednesday.

“Discover the River Waveney” is the first guide book to cover the entire length of the river, from its source by Redgrave and Lopham Fen to where it joins the Broads and heads out to sea via Breydon Water.

The guide, which is available free of charge, is published by the River Waveney Trust, which was set up in 2012 to help maintain the river and ensure it remains as accessible as possible for the enjoyment of local residents and tourists both now and for future generations.

An event to launch the guide was held at Homersfield Bridge, next to the Black Swan pub and beside the location of one of the popular Waveney Pocket Park projects.

Key members of the trust were joined by supporters of the project as well as leading figures with an interest in the economic future of the Waveney Valley.

Geoff Doggett, chairman of the River Waveney Trust said: “The aim of the guide is not only to tell as many people as possible about this great part of our landscape, but also to help locals and visitors alike explore the full length of the river.”

“Discover the River Waveney” is a 36-page booklet divided into manageable sections with information on places to visit, wildlife to see, food and drink locations close to the river and some of its fascinating history.

There are maps throughout with footpaths, key features, transport links and attractions as well as advice on how to get the most out the area for walkers, cyclists, sailors and fishermen.

“Many parts of the Waveney are well known to locals in their particular area,” said Mr Doggett.

“But one thing which has interested us since forming the trust is how little some people have explored other parts of the same river. We hope this guide will help them love and treasure it from source to sea.”

15,000 copies of “Discover the River Waveney” have been printed and will be distributed across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider eastern region. The guide will be available in tourist information centres, libraries, museums, council offices, hotels, B&Bs, pubs, restaurants and shops that surround the river.

A digital flipbook version of the guide will also be available online at www.riverwaveneytrust.org.

Funding for the new guide has come from a grant made by the Waveney Local Action Group, supported by DEFRA, and the guide was produced by design and PR agency Splice Creative, based in Diss.