New site for lifeboat service in erosion fight

Hemsby Lifeboat has completed the purchase of new premises which will replace the current base (pictured here)

An independent lifeboat service in Norfolk has completed the purchase of a cafe so it can relocate its base as a result of coastal erosion.

Hemsby Lifeboat, near Great Yarmouth, lost its former shed in 2013, although it was used only for storage at the time, with the operational equipment housed in a new building further back from the beach.

Last year the charity began searching for alternative sites as storms annually wash away the ramp access to the beach, leaving the existing station about 20m (65ft) from the edge.

Coxswain Daniel Hurd said: "Unfortunately for us, it's hit us as much as it has everyone else, so we're now looking at moving further up Beach Road away from the erosion."

Hollywood Diner was on the market with a guide price of £250,000

Dan Hurd, coxswain of Hemsby Lifeboat, estimated it would cost about £500,000 to convert Hollywood Diner into a lifeboat station.

Hollywood Diner was on the market for £250,000 but Hemsby Lifeboat said it was unable to disclose the sale price, owing to commercial confidentiality,

The charity, founded in 1975, said it completed the purchase on Monday.

Mr Hurd said: "I would say we would want that [new] lifeboat station up and running by the end of next summer, if not before.

"The way it's gone this year already, we've lost sand left, right and centre down there, [so] we need to get on with that building as soon as possible.

"It's going to be a lot of fundraising. We're probably looking at half a million pounds to convert the building, so we're going to have to rattle a few buckets and hope we can get some outside people or companies to help fund this new lifeboat station."