Appeal for volunteer watchkeepers to look out over North Sea

Volunteers are needed at Mundesley Coastwatch, which was the first station to receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

The national Coastwatch institution was established almost 25 years ago after two fishermen lost their lives below a redundant Coastguard lookout station.

Mundesley Coastwatch was the second station to open in May 1995 and still operates from its base on the seafront.

Volunteer watchkeepers are needed to spot, plot and report what they see from the lookout tower both on land and at sea.

Watchkeepers do not enter the water and undertake a regular two-hour watch each week with a fellow watchkeeper.

Station manager Duncan Mackenzie said: 'We have around 50 watchkeepers but we always need new recruits.

'We welcome new volunteers from all walks of life, men and women.

'Without a team of willing volunteers we would be unable to provide our 365-day service.

'Whilst many of our watchkeepers are retired, some volunteer alongside other roles. Some volunteers only stay with us for a few years, but many are in it for the long haul.

'Our longest-serving watchkeeper is now in his 24th year of volunteering. Every year we award long-service medals for those serving five years, 10 years and beyond.'

Volunteers need no previous experience and there is no upper age restriction. If you are interested, call 07977 112978.