A team of volunteer lifesavers has been praised for helping people in Hemsby during the ongoing erosion crisis which has seen five homes demolished.

Members of Hemsby Lifeboat were invited to attend a full meeting of Great Yarmouth Borough Council as special guests.

Borough mayor Graham Plant thanked the crew for helping ensure people were evacuated safely from homes at risk of collapsing onto the beach.

Mr Plant also said among the vital tasks performed by the crew were rescuing chickens moments before a shed fell into the sea and closing a road for public safety.

He then said the lifeboat station would be given a major funding boost.

Mr Plant added: "As one of my chosen charities, it gives me great pleasure to tell you that you will be receiving £12,000 from the crematorium from the recycling of metals scheme."

The praise comes as final permission was granted to build a permanent rock berm defence.

Preparations are also being stepped up to install rocks from Hopton onto Hemsby beach as a temporary defence.