The crew from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat were on standby as near-gale force winds and heavy rain battered down on the village.

Winds were gushing over the top of the dunes as the spring tide ate away more material from Hemsby Gap. 

At high tide at around 8.30pm tonight (March 9), volunteers with the lifeboat assessed the damage close to the beach entrance which has remained closed for two weeks following another bout of erosion which brought several homes closer to the edge.

Eastern Daily Press: Crew from Hemsby Lifeboat by the Gap. Picture - James WeedsCrew from Hemsby Lifeboat by the Gap. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

The tide climbed to around 3.4m at its peak and had already claimed more of the Gap entrance. The protecting dunes on either side of the gap have also lost some material.

The beach has remained closed since the latest bout of erosion two weeks ago, which saw a person evacuated from their home. 

Crew members assisted the resident to collect things from their clifftop home on Thursday night.

Slabs close to the at-risk property have been claimed by the sea tonight. 

Eastern Daily Press: Further erosion has occurred at Hemsby Gap. Picture - Hemsby LifeboatFurther erosion has occurred at Hemsby Gap. Picture - Hemsby Lifeboat (Image: Hemsby Lifeboat)

A further two homes north of the Gap have been evacuated, with one person staying elsewhere and another staying in a hotel in Great Yarmouth.

Coxswain Dan Hurd said his crew will assess the damage in the morning and then wait for tomorrow morning's high tide.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith, councillors James Bensly and Daniel Candon, and head of property and asset management Jane Beck were also in the village keeping watch at the scene.

If you would like to make a donation to Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, visit www.gofund.me/b430cfc8