Four hundred people attended an emergency meeting in Hemsby to discuss  action to help protect the village's crumbling coastline.

Hemsby Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten said people needed to band together to put legal pressure on the government to protect homes, businesses and the beach.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hemsby Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten by the sheer drop at the Gap following high spring tides. Picture - Denise BradleyHemsby Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten by the sheer drop at the Gap following high spring tides. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

The meeting at Lacon Arms - organised by the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat and Save Hemsby Coastline - came after a decade-long battle with erosion which has led to the demolition of multiple homes, setbacks to the Lifeboat service and beach access prohibited.

Over the past three weeks, the village has banded together after high spring tides claimed more homes and destroyed parts of a vital road on The Marrams.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A home in Hemsby demolished following weeks of bad weather claimed more of the clifftop. Picture - Denise BradleyA home in Hemsby demolished following weeks of bad weather claimed more of the clifftop. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, working with multiple agencies, the lifeboat felt there were mixed messages.

At the meeting, Mr Batten said: "There's no clarity at all for this situation here in Hemsby. Without clarity, we can't act.

"Tonight, we have the power."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hemsby Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd (second-from-right) with residents and crew after the sea had destroyed a lifeguard tower in 2022. Picture - NewsquestHemsby Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd (second-from-right) with residents and crew after the sea had destroyed a lifeguard tower in 2022. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Batten said the village needed to try something different to achieve better results and announced three points to take affirmative action.

It was announced the groups had started a petition to get the government to take responsibility to help save Hemsby's coastline, residents were invited to join a protest outside Westminster or Downing Street in the future, and a "war chest" to fund legal assistance had opened.

Hemsby Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd said as well as a permanent rock berm installed on Hemsby beach, there needs to be a quick and honest solution to help preserve the beach for the summer.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Part of the old road by The Marrams crumbled into the sea following high spring tides. Days later, part of the existing Marrams road also fell into the sea. Picture - Denise BradleyPart of the old road by The Marrams crumbled into the sea following high spring tides. Days later, part of the existing Marrams road also fell into the sea. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Hurd said: "We need the truth, and we need to take action.

"We're very frustrated as the lifeboat could be off-service throughout the summer. 

"If there is a life in danger at sea and someone dies, I will hold the government responsible."

The petition can be signed in any businesses on Beach Road, Hemsby or online at change.org - https://chng.it/JrWKwv6P2f