A COMPLEX of holiday chalets in Scarborough's South Bay were destroyed in a blaze at the weekend.

Nine chalets owned by the borough council were destroyed in the fire.

Scarborough fire station sub officer Simon Oliver said the blaze had been difficult to fight because of the inaccessibility of the chalets, which are perched above the derelict South Bay swimming pool.

He said it had not been possible to get a fire appliance to the scene as there was no roadway and several cliff footpaths in the area were closed because of land-slippage.

Firefighters had to carry equipment down the cliffs and ask Yorkshire Water to increase their water supply to enable the fire to be brought under control.

"Unfortunately, because the chalets are in a remote area, they were well-alight before the fire was spotted".

The blaze at the chalets, built for holidaymakers to enjoy views of the bay, could be seen out at sea and along the coast.

Fire teams from Sherburn and Filey were brought in to help fight the blaze.

Council spokesman Paul Grahamslaw said: "We are still awaiting a detailed report on the cause of the fire.

"The blaze is a great shame for the South Bay area. Clearly there will be no alternative but to pull the remains of the chalets down".

The council has a scheme costing in excess of £1m to redevelop the South Bay's pool and chalet area, but so far this has not been able to go ahead because of the need to find the funds.