Drivers may soon have to pay to visit one of Norfolk's busiest beaches as part of a raft of measures to plug a council's gap in finances.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) has proposed a number of savings to be introduced next year to avoid its deficit reaching £4m in three years' time.

This includes making people pay to park at Gorleston's Marine Parade during the peak season to raise £68,000 a year.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A lifeguard on duty at Gorleston beachA lifeguard on duty at Gorleston beach (Image: Newsquest)

Funding for lifeguards at Great Yarmouth Hemsby and Gorleston is again under the spotlight and will be reviewed, in the hope to raise £29,300.

It follows plans to cut the £58,678 funding last year, which caused controversy and led to the move being paused.

GYBC is also to conduct a major restructuring of the council, which includes cutting roles that are vacant, with services being transferred to existing teams.

This will aim to create more than £300,000 in savings a year.

Water coolers at council buildings could also disappear to save £5,000 and the authority is also exploring ways to raise more revenue, which could mean more beach huts are constructed.

Great Yarmouth's town hallGreat Yarmouth's town hall (Image: Newsquest)

Overall, the savings measures aim to generate £651,500 in savings next year, rising to £1.5m over the three years.

In a report, to be discussed next week at a cabinet meeting, officers said the council "must continue to take a proactive approach to setting a balanced budget annually".

This fresh batch of savings measures follows a similar push last year to plug the forecast deficit.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Carl Smith outside Winter Gardens in Great YarmouthCarl Smith outside Winter Gardens in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest)

Carl Smith, leader of the council, previously warned "difficult decisions" were needed to be made to address the problem.

Other district councils in Norfolk are taking similar action, with Breckland Council introducing car parking charges at a number of locations and North Norfolk District Council seeking to shut public toilets and raise parking fees.

It comes as local council struggle to cope with rising costs and increasing demand for their services.

The savings measures will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 3.