The historic tower is being rebuilt brick by brick to stop it falling into the sea

A historic coastguard tower has been moved inland brick by brick – to protect it from falling into the sea.

Cornwall’s 188-year-old coastguard tower has been moved 100 meters over a year to save it from coastal erosion.

The Grade II listed Compass Point Storm Tower – known as the ‘Pepperpot’ – sits on a cliff near Bude overlooking the Atlantic.

The tower in its new, safer location (Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)

The work, which began last July, was originally due to be completed by the end of last summer, ahead of a revised completion date of October.

However, after another delay, the Compass Point project, as it is known, is now complete and the tower can be visited again.

The tower is open again for visiting (Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)

People were previously asked to keep a safe distance from the construction site during reconstruction work.

Constructed of sandstone and shale, the Pepperpot has saved the lives of countless sailors over the past two centuries.

Before and after photos showing the Compass Point Storm Tower in its original location (top) and where it was moved (bottom) (Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)

Designed by George Wightwick, the tower has eight sides that map the points of a compass.

A coast guard stayed inside during high tides and storms and used a mast to alert ships.

Reconstruction work in progress (Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)

The tower has now been moved to prevent it falling into the sea – it was previously moved in 1881 for the same reason.

During its deconstruction, a number of unusual bricks were found, including some with carvings.

Mick Robson showing an inscription found on one of the bricks (Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)

Among them is one from “Len and Pat”, who probably visited the site at some point and decided to leave a lasting mark, as well as the initials of another pair.