NEW motorist Sam Hamilton could only watch in horror as waves engulfed his 'pride and joy' Christmas present.

The 18-year-old took his new Fiat Punto for a seaside spin on Blackpool Beach as he visited the resort with friends.

But his joy rapidly turned into a sinking feeling - when it got stuck in sands near South Shore.

As the high tide came in, horrified Sam watched as the waves flattened the marooned car's roof and battered its bonnet.

The £350 Fiat was eventually left half-sunk in a watery hole.

A tow truck hauled it free the following day - but it has now been scrapped.

Sam's parents bought it him as an early Christmas present when he passed his test a month ago. He had only insured it - for a whopping £1,600 - five days earlier.

Sam, from Breightmet, Bolton, who is studying bricklaying at Bolton College, said: "My dad went mad. My mum was just glad I'm alright.

"I'm absolutely devastated - it was my pride and joy.

"It's a right-off and I was only insured third party fire and theft."

Sam drove the car down a slip-road onto the beach near the Sandcastle swimming complex last Sunday.

He said: "I decided to go onto the beach because I thought it could be driven on like Southport. There were no signs.

"Then I realised the car had stuck and sunk."

Panic-stricken Sam and friends jumped free as the car began to sink. He phoned police and recovery firms to try and retrieve it but a shortage of cash meant the vehicle was left marooned in the sea overnight.

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."

It was left overnight and Sam returned to the ruins of the car on Christmas Eve, when he took the pictures.

A tow firm charged £80 for the removal and it was destroyed at a local scrap yard.

Sam added: "It was pretty scary. I did not know what to think. I was just in shock.

"People were trying to push it out but it would not budge."

His mum Donna added: "He is ok but the car could not be repaired. It was not worth it."

But despite the calamitous Christmas nightmare Sam said he has still enjoyed the festivities.

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.

"I am going to have to save up and get a 4X4 next time."

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