Seafront businesses in Brighton and Hove are being warned there will be unusually high tides next week.

If there is rough weather, forecasters say there will be a danger of flooding.

But if the weather stays calm, as is predicted, there should not be any trouble.

Tides will get higher between now and Tuesday, peaking at 1.10pm when the tide could be up to 1m higher than usual.

The city council is sending a letter to businesses in Brighton's seafront arches, advising them about how to obtain sandbags.

It is also ensuring seafront drains are clear. Owners of beach huts are also being warned to remove any personal belongings as a precaution.

The exceptionally high tides are due to the oceans being pulled by the moon's gravity as it passes close to earth.

Strong winds from the sea or low atmospheric pressure would make matters worse.

On previous occasions, high tides and strong winds have led to flooding of the arches around the Palace Pier.

Culture councillor Ian Duncan said: "We cannot say for sure whether there will be a problem. If it is a calm, sunny day, there probably won't be.

"But we're advising people to listen to weather forecasts and make contingency plans should conditions deteriorate."

One bonus will be the exceptionally low tides around 6pm or 7pm enabling people to walk out a long way on to the sand.