WELCOME calm after the storm is promised for the resort this week -- well at least calmer than the floods and gale force winds that battered Blackpool at the weekend.

Huge waves swamped the Promenade and spilled over onto the roads on Saturday and Sunday causing chaos for traffic, hoteliers and local businesses.

Roads were closed and traffic diverted as winds reached up to 59m.p.h. 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 extreme severe flooding of the area.

The Lytham team were also involved in the moving of 30 people that 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 warned: "Thankfully the tide is ebbing now, but it seems that local radio broadcasts have not been enough to deter individuals being being attracted to the spectacular wave explosions hitting the promenades -- and thereby possibly putting themselves at risk."

The Environment Agency has given Blackpool the 'all clear' for the forthcoming week with no risk of flooding and a spokesperson from the North West Met Office commented: "Although there will be a drop in temperature to 3 to 4C in some areas this week, there won't be a return of the gale force strength winds seen at the weekend.

"Blustery showers will continue with small interludes of sunshine."