A public appeal to keep a famous lifeboatman's commemorative watches in his home town has sparked a “fantastic” response.Two timepieces given to Cromer's legendary Henry Blogg following one of his heroic rescues are being auctioned next month.

A public appeal to keep a famous lifeboatman's commemorative watches in his home town has sparked a “fantastic” response.

Two timepieces given to Cromer's legendary Henry Blogg following one of his heroic rescues are being auctioned next month.

The local Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) museum which bears his name is keen to buy them to add to the wealth of medals and exhibits charting the achievements of the coxswain and his crew - and last week launched a £2,000 public appeal in an attempt to top the bidding.

RNLI spokesman Amy Ross said: “The response has been fantastic, and we are going all out to try to secure the watches.”

However they would not disclose how much had been sent in by people, in case it affected the bidding.

The fob watches were presented to Blogg by the Dutch government and local people as a thank you for his efforts in plucking 15 men to safety from the Dutch tanker SS Georgia when it broke in two on the treacherous Haisborough Sand in November 1927.

His Cromer lifeboat battled heavy seas and gales to get alongside the stricken vessel - earning Blogg the second of his three RNLI gold medals and the rest of his crew bronzes.

Blogg went on to become Britain's most decorated lifeboatman with four RNLI silvers, the George Cross and British Empire Medal in a 53-year career which saw him save 873 people during 387 launches.

The watches are being sold at Keys auction on April 15, with a guide price of £1,500 to £2,000.

The sale also includes family certificates and photo albums which give an insight into the personal life of Blogg, who was a very private man.

People wanting to help towards the appeal are asked to send a cheque,

payable to the RNLI Heritage Trust, addressed to Appeal, RNLI Henry Blogg Museum, The Rocket House, The Gangway, Cromer, NR27 9ET.

They should enclose their name and address and a note indicating whether - if the bid fails or appeal raises more money than needed for the watches - donations should be returned or used

to support other RNLI heritage

projects.