It really was a case of shifting sands in Porthleven last week when the beach disappeared, exposing the rocks below – only for it to mysteriously return the next day.

Visitors to the beach were left mystified when they discovered the lack of sand  and found that getting onto the seashore was a challenge, as the stone slipway leading down was left hanging a good few feet above ground level.

Even locals, who are used to seeing fluctuations in sand levels, were left scratching their heads in puzzlement, saying they had never seen it so bare.

The dramatic change has been put down to a freak high tide that stripped the beach.

Residents fearing for the future of their beach, which is at the heart of the popular port and a draw for tourists, did not have to worry too long, however.

With the return of the tide the following day came the return of the sand also, which was dumped back up to the top of the beach again.

Such an extreme loss of sand is particularly curious as even during the huge storms that hit the port last January and February the beach did not suffer such a loss of sand.