COASTAL resorts were last night bracing themselves as weathermen predicted record-breaking high tides.

A rare alignment of the sun, moon and earth, combined with the autumn equinox, could mean water levels peak 35 per cent higher than average over the next few days.

Tides are affected by the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon. The centrifugal force applied by the Earth as it spins, also influences the sea levels.

Last night, the Environment Agency warned that tides could be among the highest ever recorded

In Scarborough - where South Bay amusement arcades are regularly flooded by storms - council bosses expect high tide to be 6.4 metres above the norm.

People with homes along the coast are being urged not to panic but still to be prepared for the possibility of flooding.

"We have already had tides 6.3 metres above average this year and there have been no problems," said Scarborough Borough Council's Derek Rowell.

"However, what we are saying is that, if the wind turns to the north and low pressure starts pushing the tide along, then the sea could be over-topping some of the defences."

At present, the forecast for the next few days is for calm weather but Mr Rowell said traders on Scarborough's Foreshore Road and along the South Bay would be wise to be ready with sandbags just in case.

"This isn't a formal flood warning. We simply want people to be alert to the possibilities,'' said Mr Rowell.

He added: "The Environment Agency will be monitoring the situation carefully and will be advising people if any further action is necessary."

The high tides are likely from tomorrow until Thursday.

Patrick Nealon, of the Admiralty UK Hydrographic Office, said the weather would have the biggest impact on how high the tide reached.

He said onshore winds could raise the level of the tide but high pressure could flatten it out, adding coastal towns would be praying for good luck.

A spokesman for the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL), which predicts tidal levels, said: "This will certainly be the biggest tide this year. However we also saw very high tides in 1998. Then they passed without serious incident."