HEAVY seas - some of the worst seen at Scarborough for several years - left a trail of damage today.

Iron railings were ripped up on the resort's Royal Albert Drive, and damage was also caused to a number of holiday chalets and accommodation units being used by the developers of the £150 million Sands leisure and holiday complex on the North Bay.

Scarborough lifeboat was launched in mountainous seas to go to the aid of surfer who had got into difficulties 300 yards off the lighthouse pier. He was eventually washed up on to the South Bay beach and taken to Scarborough Hospital suffering from exhaustion.

In another incident, a kayak enthusiast was also rescued.

Coastguards said it was irresponsible for anyone to go in the sea in such conditions. "They are not only putting their own lives at risk, but those of others too," a spokesman said.

A sailor was injured on a vessel 25 miles off Flamborough Head and a rescue helicopter from RAF Leaconfield was scrambled at 1am.

The seaman, who was aboard the passenger vessel Blue Star One, had to be airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary by a RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter after suffering head injuries and a fractured leg below the knee from falling machinery.

A coastguard spokesman said: "It was getting up to 40 or 50 knots out there. Getting an injured person off a ship in those conditions is very tricky indeed. The sailor is lucky to have got off alive."

During the night several properties in Sandsend were threatened with flooding and several cars were damaged by strong waves, caused by a storm surge driven by powerful winds pushing water towards the coast combined with low pressure and high tides An Environment Agency spokesman for Yorkshire said: "As we stand we have reduced the level of flood warnings and hope to be able to reduce them further during the weekend.

"But we are still urging people, especially those living by the affected areas, not to go down to the sea front to take a look. The situation can be very unpredictable and dangerous. Also if anyone has any concerns please contact our Floodline number on 0845 988 1188."

Anne McIntosh, the MP for the Vale of York, and Shadow Minister for Floods, visited the affected area at North Bay, Scarborough to assess the flood damage.

Ms McIntosh said: "I am very sorry to learn that the storm last night damaged the newly-built chalets and the Sand development.

"I pay tribute to the Environment Agency for the accuracy of their flood and weather warnings, and to the emergency services, for the swift evacuation of people in the parts of the UK where it has been necessary."