For the past 20 years they have helped keep swimmers and sailors safe. Every day a team of volunteers watches the waters off Gorleston.

For the past 20 years they have helped keep swimmers and sailors safe. Every day a team of volunteers watches the waters off Gorleston. The National Coastwatch Institution has bases all around our island coast, including five in Norfolk, at Wells, Runton, Mundesley, Caister and Gorleston. Gorleston station manager Neil Statter, a retired GP, says the national charity restored a visual watch along our shores after many coastguard stations were closed. Around 40 volunteers provide the all-year-round service at Gorleston – the most easterly Coastwatch station in Britain. The watchkeepers, trained to deal with emergencies, provide eyes and ears along the coast, scanning the waters and monitoring radio channels.

National Coastwatch Institution Lookout, South Pier, Gorleston, NR31 6PL; 01493 668726; www.nci.org.uk/gorleston