A new sign will warn visitors of the dangers of being cut off by the tide on a Norfolk beach. 

Hunstanton lifeboat crew launched 49 times last year. Most incidents involved people who found themselves stranded after the tide turned.

Now a warning sign is being put up on the entrance to the beach by its station at Old Hunstanton in time for the start of the holiday season at Easter.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton RNLI crew launched their lifeboat and hovercraft 49 times in 2022, mostly to rescue people who had been cut off by the tide Hunstanton RNLI crew launched their lifeboat and hovercraft 49 times in 2022, mostly to rescue people who had been cut off by the tide (Image: Chris Bishop)

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West Norfolk council, the RNLI and le Strange Estate have teamed up to improve beach safety.

Council leader Stuart Dark said: “We know that our local lifeboat crew do wonderful work so, when they approached us saying that they were having more emergency callouts in Old Hunstanton due to holidaymakers not knowing the tide times and the dangers of being cut off from shore, we wanted to help them all we could.

“It became clear that a simple and straightforward solution to increase public safety and decrease demand on the crew was available by putting in clear signage and it was absolutely right that we, as a council, found the money to make this happen promptly.”

Eastern Daily Press: Charles le Strange Meakin (left) and Stuart Dark at the lifeboat station at Old HunstantonCharles le Strange Meakin (left) and Stuart Dark at the lifeboat station at Old Hunstanton (Image: West Norfolk council)

Charles le Strange Meakin, of the le Strange Estate and president of Hunstanton RNLI, said: “I’m very grateful to the borough council for their help in improving public safety information here at Old Hunstanton. It’s a great contribution to keep beach users safe.”

Lifeboat operations manager Rigil Kent said: “The installation of the safety sign has been a great collaboration between West Norfolk council, the le Strange Estate and the RNLI. 

"The new sign displays the tide time electronically, features a scrolling screen which can be used for additional safety messaging, and includes printed beach safety messaging.  We would like to thank the borough council and le Strange Estate for working with us and for helping us to make our beaches safer.”