Repairs to the historic Cobb following damage from severe storms earlier this year have been completed.

Beaches had been strewn with washed up litter and trees, with some trees measuring up to 30 feet.

The Cobb and Grade II-listed buildings on the Cobb Pier were also damaged by harsh waves and powerful winds.

Back in May, teams from Western Power Distribution began work, on behalf of West Dorset District Council (WDDC), to repair the mains power supply to the Cobb buildings and install ducts to allow pipe and cables to be replaced more easily in the future.

Workmen lifted large stones from the Cobb before using tracing paper to number each stone to ensure they were returned to the correct location.

The main work for the project has now been completed but there is a small area being laid with lime mortar still to finish, which is weather dependent.

This minor work is expected to be completed by the end of October.

The repairs have proved controversial, with some residents questioning why it had to be done in the busy summer tourist season.

But Lyme Regis deputy harbourmaster Mike Higgs described the work as ‘vital’.

WDDC leader Cllr Robert Gould said: “The district council has been carrying out repairs to the Cobb at Lyme Regis after it suffered some significant surface damage during last winter’s storms.

“The structure itself survived the storms with little serious damage, but we continue to monitor it.

“The Cobb is Grade I listed, meaning that repairs to the structures have been carried out in a manner which preserves its historic value.

“The district council has worked closely with English Heritage to ensure that this is achieved.

“In the longer term, major strengthening and renovation works are planned as part of phase five.”