SPRAY and display car parks were all the rage when Blackpool experienced one of its highest and potentially most deadly high tides for years on Monday (February 10).

As cruel, icy 70 mph westerly winds blasted and battered the Fylde Coast the cold Irish Sea was whipped up into a lethal frenzy.

Herds of dangerous but spectacular rolling white horses thundered in and crashed over the sea wall, transforming two major car parks into boating lakes.

Several seafront shops situated between Squires Gate and Bonny Street suffered minor flood damage and the fire brigade was called out to an electrical sub-station which the raging sea destroyed in its wake.

Fortunately no-one was injured thanks to the quick reactions of the police and council who worked together cordoning off most of the promenade to keep the public away from danger.

Operation Neptune was also enforced by the council to stop people using the Watson Road and Sandcastle car parks which can be at risk from winter flooding.

Sergeant David Parry said: "As far as I'm aware no major damage was caused and thankfully no-one was injured."

HM Coastguard spokesman Mike Roberts admitted: "I've worked here for 15 years and this is one of the most horrendous tides I've known."

He added: "The whole of the North West coast was affected.

"Swelling tides of more than 30 feet high coupled with strong westerly winds led to the frightening scenes we saw in Blackpool."

Wearing not much more than a pair of bright yellow wellies, wild and wacky Fylde character Rockin' Ronnie certainly cooked up a storm of his own, when he brought a few smiles to folks' faces with his alternative version of Singing in the Rain!

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