Shock warning on sea levels

THE COASTAL map of the Westcountry could be dramatically redrawn by the waves if expert predictions of a rise of up to four metres in sea level become a reality.

It would go far beyond previous expectations that remote and sparsely populated coastal areas would be beyond salvation, and mean that large swathes of towns and even cities could be swallowed up by the English Channel over the next century.

It comes as a senior Government adviser has warned that the country should prepare for a temperature increase of 4C (7F)