Councillors have been told to rethink plans to cut lifeguard duties at three of Norfolk's busiest beaches over fears it could discourage tourists.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has proposed stopping its £58,678 subsidy for the RNLI duties at the town's beach, as well as at Gorleston and Hemsby as part of a raft of saving measures to tackle a growing deficit in funds.
But members of the coastal authority have hit back at the idea and called for support for the service to be found elsewhere due to fears it could harm tourism if the beaches became less safe.
At a scrutiny meeting, councillors voted unanimously to call on the Conservative-controlled cabinet to stop these cuts and instead push for Great Yarmouth's Business Improvement District to stump up the money.
The decision followed a lively debate on the matter during which fears were raised that it could have devastating consequences.
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Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour group, said: "It's madness.
"Lifeguards play a crucial role at these beaches, which are three of the busiest in Norfolk.
"All it takes is one death occurring and it would have a devastating impact.
"The cuts should not happen."
Several members agreed that Great Yarmouth BID should be consulted in the hope it may be able to cover the subsidy instead, as it would fit within its remit of supporting tourism in the area.
Councillor Adrian Thompson argued he would much rather see this money invested in lifeguards rather than spending tens of thousands of pounds on fireworks each year.
The organisation is funded through businesses in the borough, who pay a levy to support its work of promoting the area.
Members voted unanimously to call on the cabinet to find ways of finding money from elsewhere and withdraw the plans to cut the subsidy to the lifeguards.
A decision on the cuts is to be made later this week.
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