A MOTHER and her two children died when they were swept out to sea by huge waves as they watched the high seas at Scarborough beachfront, an inquest was told.

Kim Barrett, 33, of West Park, Leeds, died along with her 11-year-old son, Luke Greenwood, and 13-year-old daughter, Aimee Greenwood, during a family day out to Scarborough's North Bay on March 13.

The inquest at Scarborough Coroner's Court heard the young girl's body had never been recovered from the water.

Miss Barrett's boyfriend Jason Johnson, 34, of Horsforth, Leeds, survived the incident along with his son Alec, eight.

The coroner heard the two young boys had run off on to an open slipway into the water while Mr Johnson was "playing around" on a ledge on the seaward side of the railings.

Luke had been dragged off by the waves while Alec was stopped by a member of the public.

Steven Collingworth, head of tourism and leisure services for Scarborough Borough Council, said a lifebuoy closest to the scene had been replaced three days before the incident, but was not there on the day.

Recording a verdict of accidental death on all three victims, Coroner Michael Oakley said it demonstrated the power of the sea.

He urged Scarborough Borough Council to consider putting some form of barrier at the top of the slipway.

Updated: 09:52 Tuesday, August 23, 2005