THESE dramatic pictures show the spring tides crashing over Shaldon's promenade.

Big seas driven by an easterly wind with a 'hint of north' gave rise to some spectacular waves.

It was so powerful it damaged part of the 50-year-old seawall at the Ness end of Shaldon.

Cllr Chris Clarance lives opposite the section which was damaged.

His home has been in the family for 62 years.

He said: "When you get an easterly wind with a hint of the north, the waves are always going to pile in.

"Luckily the tide was not as high as it possibly could have been. The damage was caused by a drop in the beach levels which undermined the plinth which was built in 1961.

"The water was hitting the plinth at right angles and sending water spraying up into the air. That is what made it look so dramatic."

The damaged part of the wall will eventually be repaired as part of the £8.4million flood defence scheme which is already being constructed for the seaside resort.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "The damaged part will ultimately form part of the new flood defence scheme and we will be working on that part later this year.

"In the meantime we will be speaking to our partners like Teignbridge Council, about making temporary repairs should they be needed."