CALM weather prevented high tides from causing problems at Felixstowe today - but more big waves are expected over the next few days.The morning tides were the first in the latest series of high tides, but with the wind not as strong as expected the swell was not expected to cause flooding.

CALM weather prevented high tides from causing problems at Felixstowe today - but more big waves are expected over the next few days.

The morning tides were the first in the latest series of high tides, but with the wind not as strong as expected the swell was not expected to cause flooding.

Waves smashed against the rocks protecting the prom and spattered the walkway, and in some places came across to the garden walls, but no sea surge was due.

Tonight's high tide at 10.25pm will be higher and levels will rise again over the following three days.

Tomorrow's will be at 10.38am and 11.14pm, Sunday at 11.30am and midnight, and Monday high tide will be at 12.20pm.

The wind direction is crucial at Felixstowe. North-westerlies hold back the waves, while north-easterlies push them on to shore.

The sea surge a fortnight ago caused few problems at Felixstowe - passing before the high tide with north-westerly winds keeping the sea at bay. Gardens were flooded again though and there was some damage to the prom.

The situation had been much worse in September when a switch in the wind from north to north-easterly drove the waves on to the beaches at the southern part of the resort, smashing on to the edge of the prom, shooting spray 30ft into the air, and sweeping across the walkway to flood gardens to around three feet deep.