Great Yarmouth beaches could lose lifeguards in council cutbacks

RNLI lifeguard services could be reduced along part of the Norfolk coast

Lifeguards could disappear from some beaches as a council looks to make savings in its budget.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council said it could save £60,000 a year by reducing funding to the RNLI service.

Visit Great Yarmouth criticised the proposal, warning it could deter visitors and put safety at risk.

The council said it would not comment until a decision had been made, while the RNLI said it was working closely with the authority on the plans.

On Thursday, 14 December, Great Yarmouth's full council will discuss a paper that identifies £58,678 as a potential saving from reducing the subsidy paid to the RNLI.

Lyndon Bevan, chairman of Visit Great Yarmouth, said tourists relied on lifeguards for a safe holiday at the seaside.

Visit Great Yarmouth chairman Lyndon Bevan said reducing the number of lifeguards could threaten safety

He said: "They see the lifeguard and then they see it's safe for their children and everybody to go in the sea.

"What sort of place are we if we can't make the beaches in this borough safe for the holidaymakers that come? It's a very sad time.

"I can understand that the budget is tight, everybody is under pressure now.

"Would you take away the fire brigade, would you take away an ambulance service? When you don't think you need it, suddenly you do."

In a statement, the RNLI said: "Our charity provides patrols at the request of councils and landowners, who contribute to the wages of lifeguards.

"We are unable to operate on a beach without agreement from a council or landowner.

"We will continue to work closely with Great Yarmouth Borough Council on what the 2024 lifeguarding service will look like."