ONE ENGLISHMAN'S home has become his sand-castle due to heavy sand drifts -- but Gordon Stanley fears the sands of time are running out for his Rossall home.

Rossall Prom resident Mr Stanley, 50, says four foot sand-drifts spilling from the beach across the prom could could lead to "a disaster" if there is a storm.

And the retired company negotiator blamed Wyre Borough Council for the problem. "They got these JCBs and scooped up the sand and they just dumped it over the promenade wall in mounds of about four feet above the prom wall.

"It is absolutely horrendous now. And when the sand blew back onto the properties it blocked the drains," he said.

And Mr Stanley claimed that wooden storm boards, which slot into the inner sea wall to help prevent flooding, were not put in as usual by Wyre Borough Council this winter.

He said his wife Jacqueline was terrified of the house being flooded. "When you are facing an Irish Sea gale it is frightening. It's a disaster waiting to happen," he said.

Rodger Wightman, environmental services officer at Wyre Borough Council said: "Every effort is made to keep the promenade area clear of sand, although this is made especially difficult during high winds.

"The wagons and machines are able to deposit the beach material wherever it is deemed to be most appropriate. The sand is returned to the beach area, rather than being taken away, as it contributes to the sea defences and beach management of the coastline."

He added: "It is obviously not in the contractor's best interest to leave it where it will blow back on to the promenade as they would only have to remove it again at their own expense."

He said the prom's drains were cleared regularly, with extra cleaning if necessary. And he said a number of storm boards had been put in place in November.

Council engineers monitored tides and weather conditions, and extra storm boards were put in place if there was a risk of flooding, for example when there were high tides at the start of this year, he said.

Alan White, spokesman for the contractor, the council's direct works department, said loads were tipped at the most appropriate points to form part of the sea defences against storm waves.

And it is understood that because the sand at Rossall is particularly fine it is more prone to being quickly blown back onto the prom.