Dick Melton, of Willow Road, Hunstanton, has grave concerns about the increasing number of rescue operations in The Wash and believes it is just a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.

After seeing a number of people stranded on the sandbanks during another busy summer season, he has called for West Norfolk Council to improve safety standards by installing digital display boards informing visitors of tide times.

Mr Melton said: "People need educating, that is the problem. Tide tables are available everywhere, but people just do not seem to take notice.

"When you are on the beach and you tell people about the dangers they look at you as though you are interfering. They think it is a nice place to walk but it is also a terrible place."

Geoff Needham, of Hunstanton lifeboat station, told the Lynn News efforts have been made to improve beach safety this year but believes further measures are needed.

He said the lifeboat has been called to a number of incidents involving foreign nationals and is calling for signs with clear illustrations highlighting beach dangers to be installed.

Mr Needham added: "The council is going along the right lines but I always think there is room for improvement. I think detailed graphics with less writing would get the message across.

"Most people turn up on the beach and do not have a clue. They have no idea about the tide, wind directions or safety hazards."

A spokesman for West Norfolk Council said tide times are written on display boards outside the beach patrol station in Hunstanton.

The council has recently installed a number of signs along the promenade which include safety messages similar to those featured in the RNLI's guide to beach safety signs, flags and symbols.

These signs have been installed at a number of main entry points to the beach and promenade.

The council spokesman said safety signs for the promenade were considered a high priority and insisted the digital displays were a work in progress and will follow at some point in the future.