BOURNEMOUTH beach is looking good for summer thanks to the early completion of the first phase of major works.

Construction company Mackley started work on the £3.6 million phase to replace 10 groynes in October with the work due for completion next month.

But it has announced the work will be done before the end of May.

The project is part of the Bournemouth Beach Management Scheme, a 17-year programme of work planned from 2015 to 2032.

Under the scheme, all of the existing 53 groynes on Bournemouth beach will be replaced and an additional three new groynes constructed. A programme of beach replenishment will also be carried out every five years.

The entire project is expected to cost in the region of £50m, with the majority of funding provided by the Environment Agency and a smaller contribution from Bournemouth Borough Council.

During the first phase, different timber species have been used to construct the groynes, in order to test and monitor durability.

Planking and piles from the deconstructed groynes have been salvaged for re-use on local sustainability projects such as raised flower and herb beds.

Steve Martin, Mackley Contracts Manager, said: "Progress was slow at the outset due to ground conditions making piling difficult, but overall this has been a very successful project.

"We worked single tides during neap tides and double tides for seven days during spring tides in order to complete works at outer ends of the groynes.

"Tourism is very important to Bournemouth and the beach is one of the town’s greatest assets. We are delighted to have completed this phase on the project ahead of schedule and well before the main summer holiday period."

The next phase of the project, which involves the removal and replacement of a further five groynes, is scheduled to get underway later this year.

Anthony Kirby, Engineering and Major Contracts Manager at Bournemouth council, said: "Protecting and carefully managing Bournemouth’s world class seafront is vital for our tourism industry and local businesses. The completion of this first year of groyne replacement works will form part of the overall 17-year investment programme to providing essential protection against coastal erosion."