A seaman’s mission, faced with DIY disaster, has issued its own plea for help.

While the recently opened facility is busy cementing links to seafarers who may be thousands of miles from home, it also needs help building a wall.

And while organisers have all the bricks they need, the port chaplain hopes to appeal to the good nature of a local handyman who would be willing to roll up their sleeves and put them together.

The recently opened Seafarers Centre, based on South Quay, Great Yarmouth, is becoming more popular for crew of visiting ships to relax and freshen while their ship is in dock.

The Rev Peter Paine is encouraging the seafarers to pop-in for a cuppa and have a chat with other crew members especially when they are many miles away from homes and families.

“We welcome those who just need a break from their ship after long journeys and offer a comfortable lounge where they can just relax,” said Mr Paine.

“They can have Wi-Fi access and if they have any problems they can talk to me or one of our volunteers, in confidence, if they wish.”

Mr Paine explained about the volunteers who give their free time to help in the centre, adding: “We are so grateful to all those who have brought this meeting place together, and, especially the people who contributed chairs and other furnishings as well as decorating the centre and lots of other help that we have been given before and after our opening in April 2015.

“However, we are desperately in need of completing the work including bricking up an outside doorway and adapting our washroom facilities. We have the material but hope we can find an bricklayer, builder or handyman who would kindly help us to complete our mission.

If anyone can help please contact Rev Peter Paine via 07788 111823 or at the office on 01493 850270