Steve Coogan's alter ego Alan Partridge has landed the Hove comedian in hot water.

Civic leaders say he has gone too far in taking the mickey out of Norfolk and one fed up councillor has called on Mr Coogan to come and see the "marvellous" area for himself.

The call comes three weeks after the character was blamed for costing Norwich - Brighton and Hove's rival in the race to become the next European City of Culture - a place in the shortlist.

The mere mention of local communities in Norfolk such as Spixworth, Heacham or Terrington St Clement on the BBC show I'm Alan Partridge causes the studio audience to collapse into hysterics and Labour councillor Charles Joyce cannot understand why.

He believes the satirical radio presenter could turn the county into a national laughing stock.

In a letter to county council leader Alison King, to be debated by the council next month, he said: "At a time when Norfolk is striving to attract new business and jobs to the area, it is not helpful for the county to be portrayed as a backwater populated by yokels."

Mr Joyce urged Mrs King to invite Mr Coogan and his production team to visit "our marvellous county".

A BBC spokesman said: "The characters portrayed are fictional creations, not factual representations. The audience understands the show is a comedy."