WORK to bolster sea defences at Slapton and Torcross is well under way this week, with 27,000 tonnes of shingle moved so far.

The moving of the shingle from Strete Gate to Torcross is happening thanks to flood emergency funding of £250,000 through the Environment Agency.

It is designed to mitigate the effects of last winter's storms which washed away substantial amounts of shingle from Torcross beach and alongside the Slapton Line road.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for South Hams Council said: 'So far, we have moved 17,000 cubic metres of shingle, which is about 27,000 tonnes.

'There will be around 3,000 lorry movements before the project has been completed in eight weeks time.'

There were concerns about the effect of the removal of the shingle from the Strete Gate end of the beach, but the council moved last week to reassure people that nothing would be removed from below the high-tide mark.

Chris Brook, South Hams District Council's Engineering Manager, said: 'All of the shingle will be sourced from above the high tide mark. Site of Special Scientific Interest assent has been granted for the work, and the sensitive and rare plants that exist on the upper reaches of the shingle will be protected and fenced off.' 

The shingle is being moved by truck along the A379 Slapton Line road and traffic lights will be in place during that time.