Seafront sightseers have been branded "crazy" for risking their lives in crashing 30ft waves, hours after a man was swept to his death.

Thrill-seekers have been flocking to Brighton promenade to dodge huge waves battering the shore.

But last night they were accused of putting lives at risk as forecasters warned of more storms to come.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "This sort of behaviour is simply crazy given the appalling weather conditions.

"These people are putting their own and others' lives at risk in an irresponsible and reckless way."

Beach officers used loudhailers to warn people away as giant waves sent showers of shingle crashing on to the prom over the weekend.

Brighton and Hove City Council seafront officer Nik Banks said: "There were families walking along the undercliff path as the waves were washing over the little wall.

"It was sheer lunacy, parents taking their little ones along there."

On Friday night a man was swept from the Palace Pier. He was seen clinging to girders before being washed away and is feared drowned.

An air-sea rescue operation was launched but called off two hours later as conditions worsened.

A Coastguard helicopter and lifeboats from Shoreham and Newhaven were directed to the scene in 70mph winds. Sea conditions were so poor the Brighton inshore lifeboat could not be launched.

Despite frantic rescue efforts involving more than 50 people, only a pair of trainers were recovered.

Eyewitness Steven Reader, 17, from Doncaster, said: "We heard a scream and saw him go over. He was caught by a gust and didn't stand a chance."

Mr Banks, 33, and two pier security guards attempted a rescue from an inspection gantry under the pier.

He said: "We threw him a line with a torch tied to the end to weigh it but the wind kept taking it away."

Seconds later, the man was washed into the sea as they watched helplessly.

Mr Banks continued: "We saw him in the water bobbing up and down and he was still alive at that point.

"We had sight of him for maybe a minute and a half before he started to drift out and disappeared."

Nick Halford, deputy manager of the Palace Pier, denied the man had been blown off the pier and said there were no plans to close the attraction during stormy weather.

He said: "I don't believe the weather has been bad enough to think about closing the pier. It's something we look at on a day-to-day basis."