Huge waves battered Suffolk’s coast today as autumn arrived with a vengeance.

After weeks of warm weather, temperatures have suddenly plunged – driven downwards by a biting northerly wind.

The gale-force conditions provided some spectacular shots for photographers at Southwold as the sea pounded the pier and promenade, sending spray shooting into the air and soaking anyone walking too close.

Sarah Groves, who works as content manager at brewers Adnams, was among those out and about with a camera and took these photos of the scene on the seafront .

Forecasters said two flood warnings were in place in East Anglia and there was potential for sea walls to be overtopped at high tide.

The winds, which also brought heavy showers throughout the day, are expected to subside today and tomorrow, but the outlook remains wet.