Plans to cut funding for lifeguards at three of Norfolk's busiest beaches have been put on hold after the council decided to ask someone else to fund the service.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council had proposed stopping paying its £60K subsidy to the RNLI for lifeguards at the town's beach and at Gorleston and Hemsby as part of a raft of saving measures.

At a meeting on Thursday, the authority decided to ask the town's tourism board to stump up the cash instead.

Eastern Daily Press: The council will seek alternative funding for lifeguards at Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Hemsby beachesThe council will seek alternative funding for lifeguards at Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Hemsby beaches (Image: Newsquest)

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The original move prompted safety concerns for some of the most popular beaches in the county.

While the proposal has been put on pause, the Conservative-controlled council did vote for a range of other cuts and saving measures, as it seeks to plug a growing deficit in funds which could reach £4m by 2026.

Eastern Daily Press: Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth CouncilCarl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Council (Image: Newsquest)

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Council leader Carl Smith said: "Like many councils across the country, we need to make really tough decisions to balance the budget."

This includes raising some charges and fees like garden waste collections, along with restructuring staff roles and cutting parish council grants for parks and open spaces.