Beaches left decimated by the severe winter of 2013-14 have still not recovered almost three years later, according to new research led by the University of Plymouth.

The study, published in the journal Marine Geology, showed around eight weeks of storms left many beaches along the UK’s Atlantic coastline in their most eroded state since records began.

Conditions since have in many cases done little to replenish exposed areas, with parts of Devon and Cornwall having only recovered around half of the sand lost during that time.

For the research, scientists examined the response at 38 natural beaches in the South West.

The current study includes data gathered up to the middle of 2015, but researchers have continued assessing the beaches at Slapton Sands in Devon and Perranporth in North Cornwall to examine whether the situation is improving.