Sand dunes covered by a car park at South Milton Sands beach in Devon have been restored by the National Trust (NT) in a bid to improve local sea defences.

The dunes, which have been re-established by the trust along with local residents, parish councils and other conservation organisations, replace former timber sea defences and will help the beach adapt to climate change and rising sea levels. More than 14,000 marram grass plants have been planted in order to stabilise the dunes, which cover an area of beach 200m (656ft) long and 30m (98ft) wide. Boardwalks have been installed to provide access to the beach.

NT property manager for South Devon Countryside, David Ford, said: "Over the next 12 months the marram grasses will grow roots long enough to act as additional anchorage for the sand and over the longer term this natural system will be able to respond to and adapt with coastal change."