Was there 'something fishy' going on during the naming competition for Great Yarmouth’s new bridge?  

Richard Herring, stand-up comedian and writer, seems to think so. 

On Thursday morning (March 2), soon after it was announced the third river crossing will be called the Herring Bridge, the comic took to Twitter to claim it was named after him. 

“Justice!” he wrote. “Thanks for the votes guys!” 

Back in January, Mr Herring urged his 280,000 followers on Twitter to vote for the name herring.

"Please help me get a bridge named after me," he said.

Earlier that month, Norfolk County Council had announced a shortlist of five names and opened the vote to the public with an online poll and ballot boxes deciding the winner. 

According to replies to Mr Herring's tweet, it looks like some of his followers listened to his call and voted for the name herring.

In the end, the name received 2,710 votes, almost 2,000 more than the second choice, Queens Gate, prompting claims of a "stitch-up" among some of the comedian's followers.

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: Comedian Richard Herring asked his followers on Twitter to vote for the name herring for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing. Photo: Archant. Comedian Richard Herring asked his followers on Twitter to vote for the name herring for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing. Photo: Archant. (Image: Archant)

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: “We thank Mr Herring and his followers for raising the profile of Great Yarmouth and its new bridge and are glad they agree with our choice.

“Herring Bridge was the strongest name on the shortlist in terms of its historical relevance to the town and was the local favourite through votes placed in person across the borough as well as online.

"The data from the online vote was carefully screened against any inappropriate use and we are happy with the outcome."