Two Cumbrian businesses are continuing vita work to reinstate Workington’s weather-damaged breakwater in a bid to protect the coastline and keep shipping channels safe.

Fierce southwesterly storms had breached the sea defences in two locations off the South Pier, blasting out concrete blocks onto the beach, and washing others into the Solway.

Stobbarts Limited has been working with G&M Lawson to repair the defence structure, installed to shield the beach from high tides, currents, waves, and storm surges.

The Workington-based company, which has considerable experience of maritime projects, is carrying out the works on behalf of the Cumberland Council-owned Port of Workington.

Repairs to the wall have been progressing well due to the good weather.

Stobbarts Director Ricky Fee said that the works were essential to remove obstructions from the channel and to protect the coastline were “progressing well”.

He added: “Failure to act would leave other parts of the breakwater more exposed to storms, potentially accelerating the damage .

“It is prudent to address this now: a stitch in time saves nine.

“The approach of Storm Eowyn is a reminder of why these works are necessary and important.”

As part of the works blocks dislodged by previous storms have been salvaged from the beach to refortify the gaps out beyond the pier and old coastguard station.

An extra 360 tonnes plus of rock armour has also been sourced from a Cumbrian quarry to repair other sections of the breakwater.

The concrete spine of the breakwater is around 140 metres (460 ft), with blocks at the end stretching out for a further 30 metres (around 100ft).

The work, which started earlier this month, is both tide and weather dependent.

This area of Workington Beach at the foot of the Derwent Howe marks the start of the Sea to Sea (C2C), popularly known as the Coast to Coast.

The nearby Slagbanks is popular for its views over the Solway Firth, the Port of Workington, the town itself, and the distant fells.