A family has thanked the emergency services and public for helping when a grandfather fell and badly dislocated his shoulder at Cromer beach on New Year's Day afternoon.

Seventy-six-year-old Norman Tuck was racing his granddaughters on the sand when he tripped on a stone and damaged his arm.

His wife Jacqueline said he was in a lot of pain, so it was decided to call 999.

'The paramedic was there very quickly and was tremendous, but could not get his vehicle on to the wet sand, so the coastguard were called and nine of them arrived in 4x4s. It was suspected Norman had a broken and dislocated arm, and the air ambulance was requested. It arrived about an hour later after going to another call.

'The emergency services, and the public nearby, were great, giving us coats to keep him warm - and we wanted to say a big thank you to them all,' said Mrs Tuck from Hevingham.

The couple had been invited to the coast by granddaughters Rebecca and Mollie Dawson-Tuck aged 21 and 16.

At hospital it was discovered that retired builder Mr Tuck had a badly dislocated rather than broken left arm. He was sent home after treatment, is awaiting physiotherapy and been advised his beach running days are over.

Many people at Cromer witnessed the drama which unfolded half an hour before the fun run held ahead of the resort's popular pier fireworks display.