CRASHING waves which loosened railings along Scarborough's sea walls have prompted council chiefs to pledge themselves to improved defences.

Marine Drive and East Pier took a battering as the highest tides of the year were recorded along the east coast last week - and the local authority has acknowledged that a wave wall cannot be built soon enough.

"No one who has seen the ferocity of the waves coming over on to Marine Drive and the East Pier, can be left in any doubt," said Scarborough Borough Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Godfrey Allanson.

"The high seas over the past few days have provided more evidence, if it is needed, to show that Scarborough must have the best possible defence against the North Sea.

"The existing defences are no longer adequate to deal with the conditions we have seen. It is time to accept that."

Coun Allanson said a wave wall is seen as vital as, without it, all other attempts to stem damage caused by high seas would be undermined.

Chairman of the authority's environment and transport scrutiny committee, Coun Tony Randerson, said: "The recent conditions have given a strong visible reminder to anyone of the whole reason why we are carrying out this coastal defence scheme.

"Though the high tide last week was exceptional, evidence suggests that, in future, we are going to see more and more higher tides like these and we have to make sure Scarborough's vulnerable coastline is protected.

"The new sea defences will protect Castle Headland, Marine Drive and East Pier for the enormous battering it takes from the North Sea, and the wave return wall is clearly a vital part of that protection.