Happisburgh, Norfolk

This view of the coastline at Happisburgh, a small village on the Norfolk coast, deceptively suggests peace and stability. If only it were so. Coastal erosion is a threat to the entire eastern English coast, but nowhere are the effects of the sea's relentless encroachment more dramatically evident than at Happisburgh. Coastal defences of wood and metal were erected in the 1950s, but despite repair and refortification these have proved inadequate; and like the land which they were built to defend these defences have crumbled and collapsed, defeated by the onslaught of the sea.

More information about the fears and concerns that Happisburgh's local residents have for their environment, and the action which they believe should be taken to protect it, can be found on the Coastal Concern Action Group's website website.

Canon EOS 20D and EFS 17-85mm lens.

Exposure of 0.5 seconds at f/22.