"It's not in me to give up."

That was the emotional pledge by Hemsby resident Lance Martin following a day of toil and community grit to try and save his home from erosion.

After recent bouts of erosion, several Hemsby residents have been evacuated from their homes amid fears of them falling onto the beach.

Three houses were demolished earlier this week, and two homes were pegged for demolition today (March 15).

This comes as 2,000 tonnes of rock from Hopton were due to be transported to the village to build a sea defence in the next few weeks in the hope of protecting the sand underneath The Marrams in a borough council-led scheme.

The rocks are not part of Hopton's existing sea defence.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Part of the old road by The Marrams crumbled into the sea last Friday following days of high tides and strong winds. Picture - Denise BradleyPart of the old road by The Marrams crumbled into the sea last Friday following days of high tides and strong winds. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Martin's home now stands less than a metre from the edge of The Marrams cliff. But with a little help from local businesses, he has endeavoured to relocate his premises.

Mr Martin said: "We did a call out this morning, and the community response has been absolutely fantastic.

"Lodge Parks and RDJ Groundworks people have been brilliant and supplied me with a JCB and a dumper, all free of charge. 

"That's just the start of it."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hemsby resident Lance Martin (left) with the crew from RDJ Groundworks and Civil Engineers. Picture - Denise BradleyHemsby resident Lance Martin (left) with the crew from RDJ Groundworks and Civil Engineers. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Martin thanked Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, Caister Lifeboat, businessman Lee Robinson and a local farmer called Peter for their help throughout the day.

"The amount of people who have done wonders down here," said Mr Martin. 

"We've dug trenches, we've moved everything. And we've moved a lot of earth across the road to enable us to move. 

"And we did move the house a tiny fraction, which was fantastic."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A JCB excavator pulling at the telegraph pole behind Lance Martin's home in an attempt to drag the property away from the cliff edge. Picture - Denise BradleyA JCB excavator pulling at the telegraph pole behind Lance Martin's home in an attempt to drag the property away from the cliff edge. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

During the relocating process, several attempts were made to pull Mr Martin's home using a telegraph pole placed behind the house. A 14-tonne excavator then attempted to drag the property away from the cliff's edge.

However, due to the weight of the house settling into the ground, all attempts had been unsuccessful. And at just after 4pm, the telegraph pole snapped.

However, Mr Martin said: "It's not in me to give in.

"And we are going to crack on."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hemsby resident Lace Martin on Wednesday, March 15. Picture - Denise BradleyHemsby resident Lace Martin on Wednesday, March 15. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Martin will spend the evening digging trenches to help free his home from the sand beneath. He will try to drag the chalet out again tomorrow morning.

"I am confident it can be done," Mr Martin said.

"I'm safety conscious, and I keep an eye on myself and other people. If I break the building, I break the building. 

"But I'm confident we're going to get it moving.

"The community support refreshes you. We're all together in this. It's just fantastic to see them and be hands-on.

"It's my home. It's my life. It's my Hemsby. I just love it down here. It's the best infinity pool in Norfolk behind us. It doesn't get any better than that."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The snapped telegraph pole underneath Lance Martin's Marrams home. Picture - Denise BradleyThe snapped telegraph pole underneath Lance Martin's Marrams home. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Later this week, an emergency meeting is taking place at the L A Lounge in the village. Hemsby Lifeboat and Save Hemsby Coastline are joining to discuss lobbying plans to get a sea defence built in the area.

Elsewhere, Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis will be raising in parliament why there has been a delay in issuing permission to build a rock berm to protect the village from further erosion threatening homes.

Mr Lewis said the CEO of the Marine Management Organisation has been made aware of the delay in the granting process for a rock berm, which was approved by Great Yarmouth Borough Council last April and could cost up to £9m depending on the design.

Mr Lewis has also paid tribute to organisations and volunteers who are helping to support residents who have lost their homes or face losing them.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis. Picture - PAGreat Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis. Picture - PA (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Neighbouring Scratby has seen its gabion sea defences also damaged by erosion.