Cornwall

   This is a spit of sand at the end of what was once a tidal estuary to the inland town of Helston on the Lizard peninsula. It is now the biggest stretch of freshwater in Cornwall. In earlier times the locals would cut a channel through the bar and release the water to prevent flooding in Helston. However on 4th December 2009 following months of heavy rainfall, the water level behind the bar again reached a critical level and steps had to be taken to pump the excess water through the bar to the sea.