Local resident and member of Dawlish Local History Group David Allanach spotted an unusually shaped piece of granite on his way home recently - and later identified it as part of the one of the original columns of Brunel's railway viaduct.

He said: "I usually pass the stilling basin and walk along the sea wall on my way back home from town. I noticed the shaped granite had appeared and thought I knew what it was but had to come home to check on old photographs to be sure.

"Amongst all the debris and large stones dug up was this granite top of one of the original nine columns of the colonnade. Built by Brunel in 1846, it lasted until 1928 when the new viaduct was created partly by public subscription.

"I may have to update our booklets 'Dawlish and the Railway in the 19th Century' and 'Dawlish and the Railway 1901 to Today' when all the work is completed and it will be nice to include this find."

A second column piece has since been discovered.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "During excavation work as part of the Dawlish sea wall project, a piece of granite was unearthed by the team.

"On closer inspection, it was discovered that the granite was part of one of the original colonnade columns built by Brunel when the railway between Exeter and Newton Abbot was constructed in the 1840s.

"After making this exciting discovery, the team searched the excavation site and were able to retrieve another piece of the column; both were safely removed so that they can be preserved as a reminder of the area's railway history.

"Celebrating the history of the original sea wall is an important part of the new wall project, which will ensure the railway's resilience for future generations.

"Wall panels have been installed which feature sketches of structures that previously stood on the wall, such as the old coastguard's boathouse, and eight information boards will be displayed along the new wall to tell the story of this historic stretch of Brunel's railway.

"Unearthing the past while working to ensure the future is a fantastic reminder of Devon's railway history, showing how important this line continues to be for the local community and all those who use it."

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