Massive waves hit the seaside harbour town of Porthleven, southwest England on the morning of Friday (August 21), with high winds driving spectacular plumes of spray hundreds of feet up the cliffs.

Storm Ellen's unsettled conditions also caused dangerous waves to overtop the pier wall, deluging parked vehicles and soaking an unwary pedestrian.

Massive waves from Storm Ellen hit the Cornish coast

After all the hot weather holiday makers saw the other side of Cornwall today as summer storm Ellen blasted in to the Cornish coast. Massive waves from the force eight gale hit the seaside harbour town of Porthleven this morning, with high winds driving spectacular plumes of spray hundreds of feet up the cliffs.

Even in the protection of the harbour, the unusually high spring tide meant that waves overtopped the pier wall, deluging parked vehicles and soaking unwary pedestrians.

Waves and high winds will continue for the rest of the day and rescue services are advising caution near the sea, and keeping a safe distance from the large waves.