Extra pairs of eyes will be scanning the north Norfolk coast to watch out for trouble this summer, with volunteers manning a new look-out post.

Eastern Daily Press: A mobile unit which will be used in Vale Road, Mundesley, as an extra, seasonal, look-out post. Picture: SUBMITTEDA mobile unit which will be used in Vale Road, Mundesley, as an extra, seasonal, look-out post. Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: Archant)

Mundesley Coastwatch plans to have a new seasonal station up and running on Vale Road in August.

And next year, from Easter, it will operate throughout school holidays and at weekends.

'During the summer Vale Road is becoming extremely busy with holidaymakers swimming and jet-skiing, but until now there's been nothing down there in terms of safety - not even a telephone,' said Bob White, Mundesley Coastwatch station manager.

Mundesley Coastwatch, part of the National Coastwatch Institute chain, has been operating from the top of the village's Beach Road maritime museum for the past 21 years.

Mr White said volunteers manned the station 365 days a year, watching for anything unusual, from people in difficulties, to seals in distress and strange flotsam and jetsam.

Last year Mundesley Coastwatch had picked up a distress call from a dive boat which had lost power and could not locate its divers.

The details were passed to Humber Coastwatch, which had not been aware of the call.

'I don't know what might have happened to those divers if we hadn't been there,' said Mr White.

The new £16,000 mobile unit to be installed on Vale Road is being funded by the National Coastwatch Institute which has 50 stations around the English and Welsh coasts.

Norfolk District Council will be providing phone lines and signs.

Mundesley Coastwatch, which relies on public support, was recently boosted by £250 from the EDP's Community Chest scheme.

Anyone interested in donating to the cause, or joining the 60-strong team of volunteers, should contact Mr White on 07533 081292.