It also warned that there will be more costs to come as some areas, such as the damage to the wall at Fermain, require further investigation.

And with a further nine tides above 9.5 metres yet to come this year, the situation looks dire for the department's annual coastal defence budget of £77,000.

'The costs of coastal defence repairs from the repairs undertaken following the new year 10-metre tides and strong winds is approximately £40,000. Some work at Saints Bay is still to be completed,' a spokesman said.