URGENT repairs are needed to shore up damaged sea defences before winter storms cause further deterioration of the wall.

Saltburn councillor Philip Thomson is calling for immediate action from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to resolve the problem.

The defences took a severe battering during the sea surge of 2013 and the councillor has been calling for maintenance work to be carried out to protect the town.

The council has confirmed it is working on a solution to repair the damage and improve the foundations which support the sea wall.

Cllr Thomson said: "The sea wall is suffering from lack of maintenance. Many parts of the wall stretching from Skelton Beck to Hazelgrove require repointing.

"Several areas are showing signs of erosion, with some stones being severely eroded. The worse section is just down from the pier car park. This section started to develop a hole in July and has steadily deteriorated since.

"The situation is now becoming critical as erosion is undermining the land underneath the edge of the car park.

"I have raised this concern on several occasions and I have requested urgent action to be taken. If remedial work is not commenced without delay the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

"During the sea surge in December 2013 many sections of the sea wall were damaged. The sea ingress was assisted by the poor state of the wall through lack of maintenance at that time.

"Regular inspections and a programme of preventative maintenance have been requested over the last two years."

The tidal surge in December 2013 left roads closed, car parks strewn with debris and seafront businesses devastated, including Saltburn Entertainments based on the Grade II listed pier.

Cllr Alec Brown, the council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “The council is aware of the damage to the sea wall and we are working with one of our neighbouring authorities to find the most suitable option to repair the damage, which will include foundation works to support the sea wall. We are regularly inspecting the wall and making sure it doesn’t pose a danger to the public.”