Under-threat communities have voiced their support for an innovative project which could save their homes from sinking into the sea.

However, three weeks after being launched, only five people had donated to a crowdfunding scheme to help fund it.

North Norfolk District Council has been consulting residents on plans to sandscape the beach at Bacton the to protect the neighbouring gas terminal which processes up to one third of the UK gas supply.

More than 150 people attended drop-in sessions in Bacton and Walcott to find out more about the proposed scheme, which would see approximately 1.5 million cubic metres of sand pumped onto the beach.

Comments received included: 'Make it happen', 'Bring it on!', and 'The sooner the better'. Another consultee added: 'This will make Bacton more attractive and give stability to small businesses to invest and bring employment to this part of north Norfolk.'

Councillor John Lee, Cabinet Member for Coastal Management at North Norfolk District Council, said: 'I attended the session at Bacton and people were genuinely interested in the project and keen to find out more. I was pleased with how positive the feedback was and overall people where very supportive. We are working closely with the Bacton Terminal Operators to make this project happen.'

Monitoring confirms that over the past 10 years on average beach levels on this frontage have been falling. A nearby beach ramp and cliff were damaged in the tidal surge of December 2013.

As well as holding the drop in sessions people are being invited to demonstrate community support for the project through the JustGiving page.

Three weeks after being launched, it had raised £420 of its £25,000 target from five donors.

A spokesperson for the district council, which is behind the page, said: 'The proposal relies on funding from a number of sources including the Bacton Terminal Operators and National Flood and Coastal Erosion Funding.

'NNDC has committed £500,000 to the construction of the scheme; the Regional Flood and Coast Defence Committee (Eastern) through the local levy has committed £500,000; the National Natural Flood Management Fund has committed £120,000.

'The next stage of the project will see a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment carried out before applications for consents and licenses are submitted.'

To donate to the scheme visit here.