WINDY weather struck the Fylde Coast this week -- but it takes more than a few gusts to stop hardy locals in their tracks.

Along the Prom, Blackpool council workers turned out to stop the beach advancing on to the road after two days of westerlies battered the coast.

Special equipment was used to keep the tramways clear, and cleansing department workers helped by clearing the Prom, said John Shaw, head of technical services at Blackpool Borough Council.

"It's not unusual when you get these sorts of strong winds to get wind-blown sand, especially on from New Bonny Street to Chapel Street," he added.

Workers at Fylde Borough Council's amenity cleansing department have been closely monitoring areas such as Clifton Drive, near Squires Gate Lane, to combat drifting sand.

And despite the storm force gusts of up to 50 knots whipping up the sea on Monday, shipping in and out of Fleetwood was able to continue.

"We've not had any cancellations but the ships have gone off schedules, the weather is just delaying things," a P&O spokesman said.

And the outlook? Staying cold with northerly winds and scattered showers and sunny spells at the weekend, although the Fylde may miss the worst of the wintery weather, according to the Met Office.