Poor mobile coverage along the county's coast is causing handsets to latch onto signals from passing ships rather than UK masts.

This tricks the networks into thinking the phones are out at sea and automatically switches them to 'Maritime Mode', connecting them to satellites via the ships.

A text from iD Mobile received while at Sheringham beach (Image: Supplied)

At this point, customers are hit with roaming charges which apply to calls, texts and data.

Charges vary depending on the network, but calls can cost around £5 per minute, while data can run at £10 per megabyte, meaning a few minutes of web browsing or video streaming could cost tens of pounds.

Locals and holidaymakers have been reporting such issues over the summer while visiting several beaches, including Sheringham and Mundesley, as well as Cley Harbour.

They are calling on the phone companies and politicians to do more to address the problem.

Mike Costello (Image: Mike Costello)

However, the firms say that the ships have a part to play too because vessels are supposed to disable their roaming capabilities when passing near the coast.

LOCAL FRUSTRATION

Vodafone customer Denise Revell, from Mundesley, said she was billed for roaming while simply sitting on the beach.

One holidaymaker was hit with a £10.74 charge from iD Mobile while visiting Sheringham for the day, calling it “unacceptable”.

Another received a roaming warning message while at Cley Harbour.

A text received........

© Eastern Daily Press