In response to a flood plan pack issued by the EA, a Sutton on Sea resident, who asked not to be named, said: "This agency is killing our holidays. No one will buy here if all this is sent out. Tourism will be finished."

Last year, the Leader reported on the EA's Shoreline Management Plan to provide an assessment on the risk of coastal flooding over the next one hundred years and identify possible defence options.

Mike Dugher, area coastal manager for the EA, said: "A storm surge will come one day, so we need to be prepared. We won't be able to stop it, all we can do is reduce the likelihood of flooding."

Martin Carmichael from the local Tourism Forum said: "I don't think it will affect tourism, but I do think the EA has over-estimated the threat of coastal flooding and under-estimated the threat of river flooding. There are lots of other places in the country where you're more likely to get flooded than Mablethorpe."

A spokesperson for the EA said: "Coastal communities should
be aware of the risks from the sea and
it is essential to have warning systems in place to protect people and
property.

"The flood plan pack is designed as a guide to help communities prepare for flooding so that should it happen there is a plan of action in place to help people stay safe.

"Communities work together on the plans which include making sure vulnerable people have someone looking out for them."

They added: "We constantly monitor sea conditions to make sure we give timely warnings to communities. The risk of flooding is always present so it is advisable to be prepared."

Local resident John Gregory concluded: "There will be another flood, we just don't know when."

Each year the EA spends £7 million replenishing the beaches between Mablethorpe and Skegness to provide some protection from flooding.

A consulation period for the Shoreline Managemnent Plan draft concludes on February 5.

Do you think the EA are right to issue coastl flooding warnings? Email your views to gemma.gadd@jpress.co.uk