Experts have been taking aerial images of the erosion-threatened Hemsby beach to map how the shores will change over time.

Coastal Partnership East, a coastal management team responsible for a large stretch of coast in Norfolk and Suffolk, was flying drones from the shores of the sandy beach near Great Yarmouth to capture images of the dunes.Coastal Partnership East captures a drone image of Hemsby beachCoastal Partnership East captures a drone image of Hemsby beach (Image: Coastal Partnership East) This data will be used by experts to analyse erosion trends and monitor changes in the beach and dunes as time passes.

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READ MORE: Images of Hemsby beach and cliffs hit by Storm Bert

The group evaluates the need for new coastal erosion defences, monitors changes of the coastline and identifies the need for repairs to existing defences on beaches between Holkham in north Norfolk and Felixstowe in Suffolk.

On Sunday afternoon (November 24), local photographer Oliv3r Drone Photography captured images of the beach and cliffs at low tide as 60mph winds from Storm Bert hit the shoreline.

Coastal Partnership East launching their drone in HemsbyCoastal Partnership East launching their drone in Hemsby (Image: Coastal Partnership East) Just last month strong winds and high tides stripped more sand from Hemsby Beach and a two-metre drop in the sand ramp to the lifeboat station left the crew unable to launch their boat.

The coastline at Hemsby has suffered severe erosion over recent years and in October last year, another 3m to 4m (10 to13ft) of beach was lost to the sea. 

It has been estimated that Hemsby has lost 300m of its coastline since the 1970s and a fight remains underway to secure government funding for coastal defences.