Norfolk's Blogg memorial vandalised

He has been described as 'one of the bravest men who ever lived', was the most decorated lifeboatman of all time and remains one of Norfolk's greatest heroes.

He has been described as 'one of the bravest men who ever lived', was the most decorated lifeboatman of all time and remains one of Norfolk's greatest heroes.

But a thoughtless vandal armed with a pot of pink paint yesterday left their mark on a bronze bust of Henry Blogg looking out over the North Sea at Cromer, from where he launched his daring rescues.

Whoever wielded the paint did so fairly carefully - apart from a couple of small dribbles and spillages the paint has been kept to the face only and away from the familiar trademark sou'wester and the lower part of the bust.

About 100 yards away from the clifftop attack on Mr Blogg, the red lion statue which sits outside the Red Lion Hotel near the centre of town was also painted the same pink colour.

Mr Blogg was coxswain of Cromer's lifeboats from 1909 to 1947. He won the RNLI gold medal for gallantry three times and the silver medal four times. During 53 years of service, alongside other crew members, he saved 873 lives.

Tony Webster, chairman of Cromer RNLI, said the town as a whole would be offended by the defacement.

'What a mindless act of vandalism, showing such disrespect for a local hero.'

It appeared the paint would come off relatively easily, added Mr Webster.

t Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Cromer police on 0845 4564567.