A 40ft fender which washed ashore on a Norfolk beach could soon be returned to its rightful owner - however the next task will be working out how to transport it.

It is believed that the company which owns the Yokohama fender has been located and contact has been made regarding its removal.

The gigantic rubber fender, which turned up at Thornham beach on Saturday, is thought to have washed away from an oil field during bad weather over a week ago.

The company, believed to be from the Netherlands, had contacted the Norwegian authorities regarding the missing fender after a gale but had not initially contacted British authorities.

The next step will be to decide how to remove the fender from the beach and return it to the oil field. Marine supply company Fendercare Marine, who have an office in Seething, have helped in the locating of the fenders owners and will also give advice regarding its removal should it be necessary.

It is thought that a tug boat may be used to tow the fender across the sea however how it will be moved from the beach is as yet not known.

The 40ft rubber structure is on the foreshore where it is almost impossible to drive a vehicle large enough to carry it without sinking into the sand.

Eric Plane, managing director at Fendercare, said: 'Fendercare Marine has been assisting the Humber Coastguard in trying to establish the owner of the fender which was washed up on Thornham beach.

'The owner of the fender has now been located and they are liaising with the Humber Coastguard to arrange its retrieval.

'We have offered to assist the owners – in an advisory capacity – with the fenders removal should they require our help.'

Yokohama fenders are used to prevent large vessels from colliding with dock structures and to keep hulls apart during ship to ship transfers of fuel between giant supertankers.