A MAN has told of the terrible moment he saw his friend swept to his death in swirling seas after trying in vain to save him.

Dad-of-three Darren Valvona drowned after a wave swept him off steps on Blackpool's seafront in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Now the man who was with him, 33-year-old bar manager Sol Nicolaou, has told what happened in the lead-up to the 2.30am tragedy and how he tried to save his friend.

Darren, 32, of Paddock, and Sol, of Berry Brow, had spent Saturday in the west coast resort and were staying the night at a hotel there.

They had been out all evening and had just left a club before walking along the Golden Mile promenade.

The sea was rough at the time and there was a chain with a `keep out' sign on the steps leading down to the water's edge.

But Sol said Darren ignored the sign, walked halfway down the steps and sat down.

Sol said: "The water's edge was about 10 steps below him.

"I told him it was dangerous. Waves were slapping up against the sea wall."

Darren asked Sol to join him which he did for a short while and both ended up being lashed with spray.

Sol then stood up and told Darren it was time to go.

But as Sol walked back up the steps, Darren began to walk down them.

Sol said: "I was getting frightened at this point and looked round to see Darren holding on to some chains. Suddenly a big wave came and knocked him on to his back.

"I ran down and tried to pull him back up the steps, but he was a well-built, athletic lad and he was too heavy for me.

"At one point we were both under water."

Sol managed to get back on his feet, went back halfway up the steps and tried to phone 999 for help - but his phone was soaked and useless.

Passers-by had seen what was happening and yelled that help was on its way.

Sol said: "Darren shouted to me `you go up there, I'll be all right.' He was lying down, still hanging on to the chains and absolutely soaked. He just did not seem able to get up."

Sol grabbed some buoyancy aid rings and threw them down, but saw Darren being swept away.

"It was so dark down there," said Sol. "But I could see him being carried away. I just could not throw the rings far enough.

"He went further and further out into the water - and then I couldn't see him any more. I was frantic."

Search teams found Darren's body about three hours later washed up on a beach about 200 yards away.

Sol had known Darren for 18 months, from when they both used to work together at A C Butchers on Long Lane in Dalton.

Sol has been the manager at the Head Of Steam bar in St George's Square for the last nine years - a job he held alongside his role as a butcher.

Darren also worked for him at the bar.

Sol said: "Darren was a good lad - good fun to be with.

"He had a heart of gold. He liked being around people and will be badly missed."

Darren's parents, Ted and Denise, live in Lockwood Scar and he leaves a brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Charlotte and Lisa.

He was very close to his younger brother, Tony, who died tragically five years ago.

Lisa said: "When I was going through a tough time and had my car was stolen, it was Darren who lent me the money, took me out and bought another one. That was him all over."