Horrified Sam Hamilton can only sit and watch as waves engulf his beloved Christmas present.

The unlucky 18-year-old fancied taking his black Fiat Punto for a spin on Blackpool beach while visiting the resort with four friends.

But his delight rapidly turned into a festive nightmare when the car, which had only been given to him five days earlier, became beached in the sand near the Sandcastle at South Shore.

Despite frantic attempts to save the car, which had cost a whopping £1,600 to insure, it was ruined when the tide came in.

Sam, who only recently passed his driving test, came a cropper after deciding to drive down an open sliproad to the beach.

The college student from Bolton said: "I'm absolutely devastated –it was my pride and joy.

"My dad went mad. My mum was just glad I'm all right.

"I decided to go onto the beach because I thought it could be driven on like Southport. Then I realised the car had sunk."

Panic-stricken Sam phoned the police and recovery firms to try and retrieve his car, which would have cost £400.

However, a shortage of cash meant the vehicle was left marooned.

He said: "I contacted one firm who said it would cost £60, but we only had £25 between us.

"They told me they might be able to help me but no-one came. We tried to move the car but couldn't.

"I phoned my mate from Bolton to help but by the time he arrived it was too late."

After the waves had relented, Sam's car was left with a flattened roof, bonnet ripped off and half-sunk in a watery hole.

A gutted Sam is again having to face up to life without a car because the Punto was only insured third party for fire, damage and theft.

However, despite the calamitous Christmas Eve episode he has still enjoyed parts of the festive period.

He added: "Obviously my car was the main present, but I also got some clothes and other things. Other than this I had a good Christmas."

A Blackpool Police spokesman said: "We have a towing vehicle service and we advised the two males to use that, but they refused."