Around 20 people had to be cleared from Bridlington sea front at around 4.30pm on Saturday when a high spring tide combined with strong winds sent potentially lethal waves crashing over Royal Prince's Parade near Leisure World.

Irene Cook, one of the Coastguard Rescue Officer team sent to move people out of danger, said: "I have never seen the seas so bad, yet there were people letting children stand on the sea wall while parents waited for them.

"The weight of water alone could have seriously injured them or they could have been swept in.

"We moved them back and cordoned part of the area off for public safety."

She added the sight was spectacular but if people wanted to watch they must do so from a point of safety and never try and dodge the waves.

The severe weather meant the harbour north pier was closed to the public due to strong winds and the lifeboat slipway just past the south pier was chained off.

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