CALM is promised after the storm for Blackpool -- or at least calmer than the floods and gale force winds that battered the resort at the weekend.

Huge waves swamped the Promenade and spilled onto the roads on Friday, Saturday and Sunday causing chaos for traffic, hoteliers and local businesses. Roads were closed and traffic diverted as winds reached upto 59mph and the downpours kept coming.

In Fleetwood, the tide was reported to be at its highest for nearly 20 years and numerous people were caught unaware and became trapped by rising tides all along the Fylde Coast.

Fire crews and the Lytham coastguard were called out to the Manchester pumping station on Blackpool Promenade to rescue a man who was trapped due to severe flooding of the area.

The Lytham team were also involved in moving 30 people who were trapped on South Pier as power supplies were brought down. Various ice-cream stands and kiosks were also severely damaged.

Other groups of people who had gathered up and down the length of the Prom to watch also had to be led to safety and sandbags were handed out to business proprietors within the flood risk area. Some vehicles were stranded after drivers attempted to drive through deep water -- despite police warnings.

Ged Lynch, Liverpool coastguard watch manager, said: "Thankfully the tide is ebbing now, but it seems that local radio broadcasts have not been enough to deter individuals being attracted to the spectacular waves hitting the promenades -- and thereby possibly putting themselves at risk."

The Environment Agency gave Blackpool the "all clear" for the moment with no further risk of flooding.