Miles of coastline in south west England are at risk from increased erosion and tidal flooding, according to a new report from the National Trust.

A number of trust sites along 173 miles (279km) of coast have been identified as being at risk from the effects of climate change in the Shifting Shores report.

First published in 2005, Shifting Shores has been commissioned to examine the long-term future of coastline that the National Trust is responsible for. The latest publication outlines the sites which are most at risk.

Coastal and marine advisor at the National Trust, Phil Dyke, said: "Our coast is changing, even in areas such as the South West, where the perception of the coast is that the hard rock might offer us some protection.

"But we know from our research that some of the National Trust's coastline in the South West is either soft rock, so vulnerable to erosion, or low-lying, so vulnerable to flooding."

The report reveals that 16 per cent of protected sites of special scientific interest are at serious risk from erosion or flooding. Freshwater lagoons on Brownsea Island, Dorset, which attract migrating birds, could be permanently altered by sea water spilling in as a result of rising sea levels.

Also at risk are 142 scheduled ancient monuments, 111 listed buildings and one historic garden, including Westbury Court Garden in Gloucestershire.

"We've woken up to the impact of climate change on our coastal sites, and given ourselves time to prepare for the future," said Dyke. "We know how important the coast is for people who live in and visit the South West."

Photo: National Trust- Simon Ford