Storm Emma may have caused devastation in parts of the country but it also unearthed a secret underground forest.

The 7,000-year-old woodland was uncovered after last week’s extreme weather lashed Britain, shifting the sands just south of Hartlepool in Redcar, Cleveland.

Various ancient tree stumps and logs that date back to the late Mesolithic period are now visible on the shore.

However, only a stretch of around 400m can be seen, with the rest of the forest – that runs for several miles – still hidden underneath the sand.

View photos Tree stumps and logs that date back to the late Mesolithic period are visible on the shore (Getty) More

View photos It is thought rough seas scooped out the sand the wind blew it away (Getty) More

View photos Only a stretch of 400m is visible of the miles-long forest (Getty) More

Hartlepool lifeboatman Garry Waugh said of the discovery: ‘I last saw the forest when I was ten-years-old.

‘That was around 40 years ago.

‘There was a school trip and we were taken down to see it, I remember being mesmerised.

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‘It’s amazing that this has appeared again.

‘I think it must be because of the weather.

‘The rough seas will have scooped out the sand and the wind will have blown it away.’

View photos The bones of deer and wild boar have previously been found in the woodland (Getty) More

View photos The forest was first noticed in 1871 (Getty) More

The bones of deer and wild boar have previously been found in the woodland, that was first noticed in 1871.

The area is a treasure trove for lovers of ancient history, with flint tools and other implements also being found among the trees.

Due to the discovery of various tools, it is believed the woodland was an area where humans once lived and hunted.