Relief as expected storm surge fails to wreak havoc and flooding

• Video report by ITV News correspondent Ben Chapman

Thousands of people are being evacuated or moving precious belongings upstairs in vulnerable flooding areas in the east coast of England.

In Lincolnshire, it is the fear of high tide combining with high winds that has led to the army bolstering the region's defences.

But others are choosing to ignore instructions from emergency services and stay put despite concerns that homes could be deluged by 3m of water.

An elderly woman and two children were rescued from their car that was floating in 3ft of flood water at Hornsea seafront in Yorkshire.

Hornsea Rescue worker Karl Shannon, who happened to be passing at the time, tethered the floating vehicle to a lam post using the car's seat belts before pulling the children and driver out the windows.

Shortly after the family were brought to safety, the car sank.

Mr Shannon told BBC Radio Humberside:

Around 80 people are also being evacuated in the north Norfolk village of Walcott, police said.

A severe flood warning is in place and police are being joined by firefighters and the military.

The River Esk has broken its banks and water has swept up to homes near Church Street in Whitby.

Onlookers quickly retreated as waves swept into Pier Road in Whitby.

Seawater has deluged Foreshore Road in Scarborough one hour ahead of the expected peak high tide.

This video shows people getting very close to the waves:

ITV News cameraman Michael Newton is there:

Thousands of residents in Great Yarmouth are the latest to be evacuated over fears of "significant life-threatening floods.

Police, firefighters and the army will visit more than 5,000 properties in the coastal Norfolk town ahead of a storm surge at high tide, set to peak at 9.30pm.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 17 severe warnings - which warn of danger to life - with those in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex most under threat.

Superintendent Dave Buckley, who is co-ordinating the multi-agency response, said: "We understand people will be anxious but this action is necessary on the back of the latest information from the Environment Agency, which suggests the threat is significant.

"Military resources - around 200 troops - are on route will start arriving shortly to assist with the evacuation process and we also have additional police resources in place to manage this response."

Large waves are battering the east coast of Scotland with strong winds whipping up treacherous conditions.

The Aberdeenshire town of Fraserburgh was just one place to experience dangerous sea levels just off its coast, with some waves submerging sea walls.

Video footage showed the high water levels and unsettled conditions on Friday afternoon.

Severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - have now been issued in 17 places.

A number of areas in Suffolk are the latest to have been served with the most serious warning by the Environmental Agency, including parts of Blythburgh, Kirkley, and near to Lake Lothing and Mutford Lock.

Residents across both coastal Suffolk and Essex have already begun evacuating their homes as they prepare for potential flooding.