Hemsby Lifeboat currently off service after further erosion

Around two metres of dunes by the Gap collapsed during Thursday's near-gale force winds. The slipway has been washed away, and there is currently a drop of between 6 and 8 feet down to the shore.

Hemsby Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten said crew will be carrying out maintenance in the area tonight (December 22) with the hope of getting the offshore service back in action for Christmas.

The sheer drop by Hemsby gap on Friday, December 22. Picture - Daniel Hurd (Image: Hemsby Independent Lifeboat)"We will continue to do what we can to reconstitute the slipway," Mr Batten said.

"We're going to be maintaining the area for now until something official can happen."

As well as damage to the slipway, another metre has been mined beneath the boardwalk, and the dune currently protecting the Beach Road car park lost two metres.

Mr Batten said the sea "is very close to breaking through" the dune, which could cause issues for car access and the Lifeboat's shed.

The dune protecting the car park only stands at around 1.5m in some places. Picture - Daniel Hurd (Image: Daniel Hurd)Hemsby Independent Lifeboat has alerted Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Further damage to the village comes less than two weeks after the demolition of five homes along The Marrams following the collapse of the service road.

Several vehicles had been stranded outside Marrams homes for three weeks.

Lifeboat crews were successful in retrieving the vehicles on Tuesday afternoon.

Lifeboat crew assisted Marrams homeowners in removing their stuck caravan on Tuesday. Picture - Submitted (Image: Submitted)Mr Batten said: "We were concerned that there was no affirmative action being taken. There had been lots of discussions and confusion over ownership and access. 

"So we decided to just speak to the relevant people, got permission to go on the land and assisted with the retrieval of the vehicles. 

"We felt it was important - both to the residents and the beach - to get the cars back."

Hemsby Lifeboat and Inshore Rescue Service is completely independent and run by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Scan the QR code if you would like to donate to Hemsby Independent Lifeboat. Picture - Hemsby Independent Lifeboat (Image: Hemsby Independent Lifeboat)

The car park close to the Lifeboat Station on Beach Road, Hemsby. Picture - Daniel Hurd (Image: Daniel Hurd)Hemsby Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2015)