A panel of coastal experts is coming to Lowestoft next month to answer questions about last year's tidal surge.

The Suffolk Coast Forum will be holding its annual Suffolk Coast and Estuaries Community Conference, called Beyond the Surge, at the OrbisEnergy Centre on Wednesday, October 8 and Lowestoft residents are being encouraged to attend.

Lowestoft was badly affected by December 5's surge and as a result, conference organisers are keen for residents of the town to come to the conference in Wilde Street to find out what happened during the floods and what work is now being undertaken to protect the region's coastline.

As part of the programme of events, attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions to a panel of coastal and marine management experts.

David Ritchie, Waveney's Cabinet Member for planning and coastal management, who is also chairman of the Suffolk Coast Forum, said: 'The Suffolk Coast and Estuaries Community Conference is an excellent opportunity for Waveney residents to put their questions to a panel of coastal management experts.

'Lowestoft experienced the damaging effects of a significant tidal surge and I would recommend that local people attend this event to learn what is being done to improve flooding resilience in our region.'

In addition to the panel session, the event will also feature speakers from a number of organisations including the Environment Agency, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Natural England and Suffolk County Council, as well as Waveney District Council's coastal management team.

The tidal surge saw 90 commercial and 60 residential premises in Lowestoft and Oulton Broad flooded and in Southwold seven commercial properties and two homes were flooded,

The cost of the tidal surge to Waveney was £206,000.

The Suffolk Coast Forum, which comprises local authorities, community groups and environmental organisations, is a partnership which looks closely at flooding and coastal erosion risk management.

To book a place at the conference, ring 01473 706836 or communications.eastern@environment-agency.gov.uk