A large section of Gorleston beach was washed away by the tide last weekend.

Beach-goers discovered the sea had created a large shelf of sand, spanning the coastline.

In a statement, Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: 'This localised sand shelf is the effect of certain natural wave patterns.

'The recent strong easterlies have been a contributing factor. There is also currently a localised shelf in the Scratby/Hemsby area.

'This is a wholly natural affect – the shelf will disappear when the conditions change and sand is again deposited.'