By Travelmail Reporter

Published: 09:04 EST, 3 April 2014 | Updated: 10:19 EST, 3 April 2014

A safety warning has been issued to British families hoping hit the beaches during the Easter holidays, after winter storms dramatically changed the coastline causing lethal riptides in previously-safe waters.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) says holidaymakers will be startled when they see beaches in Devon and Cornwall, which have be changed almost beyond recognition.

As the Easter holidays begin and the mild weather continues, families venturing onto Britain's beaches are being advised to take care as 100mph winds over winter have shifted millions of tons of golden sands and shingle, creating new currents.

Bearing the brunt: Cornish beaches were hit hard by the winter storms which brought 100mph winds

Steve Instance, RNLI senior lifeguard manager for the South West of England, said: 'The winter storms have dramatically changed the make-up of most the beaches and many people returning to their favourite spots may be surprised at how different everything looks.'

He explained: 'This includes significant erosion of the sand dunes where gentle slopes have washed away, leaving sheer sand cliffs, some of which are 10 to 15 feet high.

'On other beaches, access points have altered and on some, the shifting sand has left deep channels that in turn create strong rip currents.'

Waterlogged: The South West was hit hard by storms in January and February this year

Follow this link:

Easter holiday warning about riptides on British beaches caused by winter storms