A pit bull terrier attacked and bit a young marine cadet on the beach at Hemsby yesterday morning.

L Cpl Tovell, of the Marine Cadets of 901 Troop, was taking part in a charity walk to raise cash for a cadet summer camp in France when he was attacked.

A group of cadets were on the beach when they saw three dogs - none of which were on their leads - and one dog began to harass them.

It then bit Mr Tovell on the leg before running back to the person believed to be its owner, who then walked away from the incident.

Mr Tovell was treated by a paramedic, and a description of the man seen with the dogs has been given to the police.

The dog concerned was described as being brown in colour and of Staffordshire or pit bull terrier extraction.

The other two dogs were described as being predominantly white.

The incident took place shortly after Great Yarmouth's mayor, Barry Coleman, waved off the 40 cadets and instructors of 901 Troop on a sponsored walk.

The cadets were taking part in their annual sponsored walk from the Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth to Winterton.

Much of the money the cadets raise goes towards their summer camp, which this year is hoped will be in Normandy, France. Nobody from Norfolk police was available for comment.