Wreaths were laid at a cliff-top memorial as a town remembered those who died on its darkest night.

Thirty-one people died at Hunstanton on the night of January 31, 1953, when a North Sea storm surge hit the town.

Eastern Daily Press: American airman Reis Leming, who saved 16 people from the 1953 floods at HunstantonAmerican airman Reis Leming, who saved 16 people from the 1953 floods at Hunstanton (Image: Newsquest)

Eastern Daily Press: The aftermath of the 1953 floods at HunstantonThe aftermath of the 1953 floods at Hunstanton (Image: Newsquest)

They included 16 Americans, who were service personnel and their families billeted in chalets along the resort's South Beach Road.

After wreaths were laid by Hunstanton Mayor Mike Ruston and Bill Cunliffe, from the Hunstanton Society, their names were read out one by one before a short service led by Fr James Monro.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton Mayor Mike Ruston lays a wreath in memory of victims of the 1953 floodsHunstanton Mayor Mike Ruston lays a wreath in memory of victims of the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

Afterwards, Mr Ruston said: "It was a tragedy 71 years ago and there are still people in the town who were children at the time who remember it. It's part of the town's history, although a very sad part."

The event was attended by American service personnel from the 67th Special Operations Squadron, whose forerunners Reis Leming and Freeman Kilpatrick rescued many from the flood waters at the height of the storm.

Eastern Daily Press: The service at Hunstanton to remember those who died in the 1953 floodsThe service at Hunstanton to remember those who died in the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

Both were awarded the George Medal for the heroism they showed on that night.

The tempest was the worst in centuries. In Norfolk, 100 drowned, while thousands more lost their homes.

Eastern Daily Press: American air force personnel at the memorial to those who died in the 1953 floods at HunstantonAmerican air force personnel at the memorial to those who died in the 1953 floods at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Sea defences were swept aside by a wall of water which swept into King's Lynn at 6.30pm, had reached Hunstanton by 7pm and was powering towards Great Yarmouth by 9pm.

More than 300 died along the east coast of England – and across the North Sea the Netherlands was even harder hit with a death toll of more than 1,800.

Eastern Daily Press: The memorial to victims of the 1953 floods at HunstantonThe memorial to victims of the 1953 floods at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Coastal communities were caught by surprise by the storm, caused by a lethal combination of a high spring tide, a low pressure system and gale force northerly winds.