SOME of the worst storms in decades have combined to give South East Cornwall a grim start to the new year.

Damage has been estimated to run into thousands of pounds for the local area alone, while across Cornwall repairs and the cleaning up operations are expected to exceed £1m for Cornwall Council.

The high spring tides and bad weather brought flooding into local harbours and towns on Friday, with Looe and Fowey the worst affected locally.

There were scenes of devastation at Seaton beach, where part of the sea wall by the beach collapsed and part of the Seaton Cafe's outside eating area was decimated.

Wild waves crashing onto the shorelines around South East Cornwall on Monday provided spectacular viewing for storm watchers. At Looe, surfers went into the sea to make the most of big rollers rarely seen there, and harbourmaster Jeff Penhaligon said: 'The waves breaking out at sea were big, and looking across from Looe bay I could see all along the coastline with Whitsand Bay to Rame taking a pounding.'

The Banjo Pier was locked off for the weekend as sea conditions were too dangerous for people to walk there.

Wednesday was the first day fishing boats from Looe and Polperro were able to venture out to sea. There were also problems inland with the rivers Tamar, Fowey and Lynher on amber alert and some flooding.

On Sunday The Butchers Arms at St Ive was closed down due to damage from a falling chimney, and on Tuesday the parish church at St Keyne was hit by lightning, causing thousands of pounds in damage.

Across Cornwall the effects of the weather damage were being monitored by the council's emergency services operating from their silver control centre. They received reports of coastal flooding affecting 65 properties across the county and there was sea damage to well- known visitor areas including at Newquay, where a road collapsed near the aquarium, as well as at Portreath, Porthmeor Beach, St Ives, and at Bude.

Meanwhile at Looe, there was floodwater for more than two weeks in Station Road by the garage, and at Sandplace at the junction with Morval. This led to closure of the A387 into Looe. Both areas were cleared on Wednesday and Sandplace Road reopened.