Campaigners were 'surprised' by the amount of people who attended a meeting on coastal erosion in the Lowestoft area.

The event was moved from Pakefield Church Hall, which has a capacity of 80, to the church itself after some 200 people turned out on Saturday, January 13.

The meeting was organised by the Pakefield Coast Protection Group (PCPG) which is planning to become a Community Interest Company (CIC) in order to raise funds for sea defences in the area.

They are seeking to secure approximately £11m in funding that would be needed to extend the current rock revetment to the north and south of its current position.

Lowestoft Journal: Rev Sharon Lord at Pakefield Church Hall during a meeting about coastal erosion. Rev Sharon Lord at Pakefield Church Hall during a meeting about coastal erosion. (Image: Mick Howes)

READ MORE: Plea to protect properties 'at serious risk' in Pakefield

Rev Sharon Lord addressed the meeting to clarify that it was solely to establish a CIC and not to discuss the options for coast protection, which was was dealt with at steering group meetings.

Application forms had been distributed for people to become members of the CIC or to be officers.

Lowestoft Journal: John Ward, chairman of Pakefield Community Group. John Ward, chairman of Pakefield Community Group. (Image: Mick Howes)

John Ward, who is chairman of the Pakefield Community Group, said: "We had a good response. This proves that people are interested."

The decision to set up a CIC follows the demolition of three chalets in November and the cliffs losing an estimated 13ft - or around 4m.

READ MORE: Desperate clifftop residents say they are being 'ignored' over erosion fears

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Crossley, Pakefield resident, said that red tape around access to funding for sea defences was frustrating. Peter Crossley, Pakefield resident, said that red tape around access to funding for sea defences was frustrating. (Image: Mick Howes)

Clive Crossley, who lives opposite where the chalets were knocked down, told the meeting the steering group had been told by consultants that £11million was needed to provide 300 to 400m of rock revetment – with £432,000 coming from central government.

He said red tape from Environment agency and Natural England was frustrating - but was pleased that local MP Peter Aldous had secured a debate in Westminster last month which lasted an hour.

The PCPG are planning to hold a 'question time' style event for residents in February but details are not yet confirmed.