RNLI Henry Blogg Museum looking for new home

Henry Blogg saved more than 800 lives in a 53-year career as a lifeboatman

A lifeboat museum said it is searching for a new home after damp began to damage displays.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said it was looking for a new location for its Henry Blogg Museum, currently in Rocket House, Cromer.

Coxswain Henry Blogg carried out 387 rescues, and helped save 873 lives, between 1894 and 1947 and is the charity's most decorated volunteer.

Landlord North Norfolk District Council said it hoped to resolve the situation.

An RNLI spokesperson said the building was "taking in large amounts of water and has a damp problem, which surveys show are the result of problems with the building's construction".

They added: "There is insufficient drainage from the cliff face at the back of the building. This has caused water to flow into the building on a long-term basis, leading to damp.

"As well as the risks to those volunteering and working in the museum, the damp is causing significant damage to our heritage collection, and costing the charity through having to decorate and carry out repairs regularly."

The building has damp issues, the RNLI said

The building was completed in 2005 by a contractor appointed by the district council, the RNLI said.

Its spokesperson added: "We have been working to identify a new location because we remain committed to having our heritage collection in Cromer, given the significance of Henry Blogg to the town and the RNLI's history."

Mr Blogg was awarded many honours, including the George Cross for general war service and a British Empire Medal.

To this day, he remained the most decorated person in RNLI history.

The RNLI added: "At this stage, no viable location has been identified. If anyone knows of a suitable local venue that might be appropriate to store and showcase our heritage items, please get in contact with us."

Leader of the district council, Liberal Democrat Tim Adams, told the BBC: "We've got a capital budget of £1m to resolve the issues and hopefully that will cover all of the items we need to resolve.

"There's a lot more there than just the museum, but obviously the museum is of vital importance.

"It's quite a significant amount of work we've got to do here to continue to see the building fit for future purpose."

One issue was the building's lift, which he said "struggles due to the size of modern mobility scooters".

He said he was hopeful the RNLI would stay in the building, and added: "I'm certain we can find a way forward."