Raymond Mills was on a day out at Brancaster beach last summer and had carefully planned his trip out to the SS Vina, which lies about 800 metres off the main beach and is exposed at low water.

However, he got into difficulties in the strong currents near the vessel - a notorious area known as Wreck Sands which can quickly become cut off by fast-moving tides - and disappeared beneath the water.

His granddaughter was able to get back to safety and a search operation was launched. Mr Mills was found in the water by a helicopter around an hour later.

He was flown to Norwich Airport to be transferred to an ambulance but was pronounced dead shortly after the aircraft landed.

Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall, Norwich (Image: Denise Bradley)

At an inquest into his death, held this week at Norfolk Coroner's Court, Mr Mills' family said there should be additional safety measures at the beach, which is owned by the National Trust.

They called for the wreck to be removed and more warning signs to be put in place highlighting the dangers.

The hearing was told how the safety-conscious Mr Mills, 74, had meticulously researched his expedition to the SS Vina - which sank in 1944 while being used as target practice for the RAF.

The retired engineer and his wife Jacqueline, from Milton Keynes, were on the first day of their holiday in Norfolk with their three grandchildren.

The group were staying at Hunstanton but travelled to Brancaster for the day, on August 17.

Mrs Mills, a retired teaching assistant, told the inquest: “Ray was greatly looking forward to taking our three grandchildren away to Norfolk.

“He had promised they would try and see the shipwreck on Brancaster beach.

“He researched the tide times, aware that the wreck was only visible for short times.

“Ray was super careful about any undertaking, always finding a solution to any problem and would never knowingly put himself or anyone else in danger.”

Brancaster beach at dusk (Image: Matthew Usher)

Jordan Grebby, from HM Coastguard, told the inquest in a report that the first 999 call reporting a man had gone under water was received at around 1.30pm.

He said that it was immediately clear Mr Mills was in “grave and immediate danger” and a search of an area of three nautical miles (3.4 miles) was quickly organised, involving lifeboats and hovercraft from Hunstanton and Wells, and the coastguard helicopter.

The initial 999 call had come from a bystander who had not actually witnessed the incident but said Mr Mills had last been seen opposite the wreck – a landmark Mr Grebby described as “a well-known local tourist attraction”.

At almost 2pm, a further 999 call was received from another member of the public who was with a young child – believed to be Mr........

© Eastern Daily Press