ENGINEERS working throughout Highcliffe to install improved internet services have left residents frustrated.

Virgin Media is carrying out extensive work in the village to provide faster connectivity, however a number of the sites where they have been working have been left in a poor state.

Last year the Daily Echo reported on the decision by Dorset County Council to remove a specified compound area for Virgin to work from after the ground was ruined.

Several months on and members of the community are disappointed with how the national firm is going about the improvement works.

Robert Dee, who lives on Lymington Road, said several previously green areas in his neighbourhood have been turned into mud.

"They should put it back to what it was before they started," he said.

"It is just a shame to spoil the area really. Some people do want Virgin and the high speed internet, but that doesn't mean they can leave it like they have in places."

Borough and county councillor Lesley Dedman said she has had a number of conversations with Virgin about their work and believed a lot of the problems were with the contractors carrying out the work.

"Although Virgin came to all the residents meetings and gave very good talks about how they would carry out the work and be very careful, on the ground the workers have not been as good," Cllr Dedman said.

"When I have spoken to the Virgin officers they have been very helpful, but that doesn't help the residents.

"Virgin have acted when I have raised complaints with them and I urge residents to contact me if they have any concerns."

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “Virgin Media is currently expanding its network in Dorset to bring ultrafast broadband to more homes and businesses.

“As we do so, we endeavour to minimise disruption and the impact on terrain – especially in the Winter months. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”