A group campaigning to save a village from falling into the sea has been forced to changed its name after it was mocked by locals and members threatened to leave over its acronym – ‘SHAG’. Committee members threatened to quit the ‘Save Happisburgh Action Group’ after the unfortunate acronym led to ridicule and mockery by locals in Norfolk.

The group will now go by the name ‘Save Happisburgh’ instead.

Founder of the group Bryony Nierop-Reading said: “I thought it was catchy and attracted attention.

“I don’t care what it’s called as long as we get on with it, which is what we’re doing now.”

Miss Nierop-Reading, who lives in Happisburgh, Norfolk said she chose the name because a shag is a breed of seabird which fights for survival.

The group is campaigning to protect the village’s famous lighthouse, as well as the church, pub and people’s homes after 10m of cliff eroded since last year.

North Norfolk District Council said investing in new sea defences is “not realistically feasible” due to affordability.