Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures LtdThe coastline and its valuable infrastructure is being rapidly destroyed by unstoppable erosion
Residents of a disappearing stretch of the Yorkshire coast lost around a metre of their gardens in a tidal surge this weekend.

Huge waves have caused destruction in Skipsea, East Yorkshire, as they battered more 20 homes and gardens.

The coastline and its valuable infrastructure is being rapidly destroyed by unstoppable erosion, leaving residents and business owners fearing for their future.

Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures LtdMrs Harris, a cleaner at Skipsea Club, said: 'If the erosion carries on like this we are going to have to move, it goes so quickly'
Over the weekend, gardens were showered with pebbles and fences smashed, as the water threatened to wash away parts of the picturesque village.

Ursula Harris, 61, lives on the now decimated Green Lane in Skipsea with her husband Peter, 52, a lorry driver.

'We lost a metre last weekend. We have some poles up so we know how far it goes.

'Luckily we moved the fence back last year. You never know what is going to happen.

'I think if we didn't move the fence back it would have disappeared. My neighbour lost part of his fence.

Residents of homes on the very edge of the cliff are worried about the erosion making their plots smaller
Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures LtdUrsula Harris looks out from her back garden which is growing smaller and smaller
'It was quite scary, the waves were very high. They were coming into our garden.

'I was worried it was going to come further and reach our house. I have got a green house in the back garden and the glass is broken because of the waves and the stones coming over as well.

'I think it will come closer to the house in the future. The council have not done anything to help the situation.

'I love living here, it is beautiful. It is like a holiday every day. I don't want to move from here so I hope that our land doesn't disappear anymore.'

Brenda Ciccone, who lives in Skipsea, told BBC Look North: 'I was sitting at the window and I was watching it and it came right up, right over, broke that man's fence next door and a few more further on.

'Stones were hitting my window, I thought my window was going to come through. I was scared, really, really frightened.'
Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures Ltd2007: The full gardens before the erosion began
Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures Ltd2007: The gardens as the coastline began to disappear
Mrs Harris, a cleaner at Skipsea Club, said: 'If the erosion carries on like this we are going to have to move, it goes so quickly'

Nearby holiday park Skipsea Sands are unable to give their customers direct access to the beach as a result of the erosion.

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: 'Last week's coastal flood risk was caused by a combination of high tides and gale force winds, which created large waves along the east coast.

Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures Ltd
Tidal surge East Yorkshire Skipsea Janaury 2017 coastal erosion
© North News & Pictures LtdThis picture shows pipes sticking out of the eroded cliffs after the storm surge
'We have received reports that around 20 properties have flooded along the Yorkshire coast.

'Our thoughts go out to those residents and businesses who have been affected - flooding can have a devastating impact on people's lives.

'Tidal conditions like those seen over the past 48 hours can cause significant damage to flood walls, banks and other defence structures.'