Flood defences on the North Somerset coast between Clevedon and Kewstoke could be moved up to a mile further inland.

The work's being propsoed by the Environment Agency in a bid to create an area of mudflat and saltmarsh habitats, designated as internationally important, and protected by European and UK law.

Critics argue farms in the area could be left 'abandoned to the sea' and farmers will lose their livelihoods.