THE new Swanage Pier Cafe and Bistro should be open in a matter of weeks, marking a significant step forward in the project to regenerate the historic structure.

In addition to the cafe development at Marine Villas, the project, announced last year, also includes new education, exhibition and retail facilities.

Extensive repairs and restoration work is also being carried out on the Victorian Pier, which will also reopen later in the summer break.

Swanage Pier Trust announced that Phil and Miranda Dyke will be opening the doors of the new cafe and bistro.

Phil, who was born in Swanage, has spent 14 years working in catering.

He is best known locally for his role as partner and chef at 'The Cabin' in Swanage, where his food has earned him the highest possible position on TripAdvisor.

Miranda is also no stranger to the catering industry. She grew up in the family business, formerly known as the Purbeck Carvery and Salad Bar, and later Options Restaurant.

Phil said: "We are looking for the next big challenge and we couldn't believe our luck when an opportunity came along to become part of the major development on Swanage Pier.

"We were over the moon when we discovered that we had won the concession."

Swanage Pier, which is supported by a team of more than 60 volunteers, is visited by more than 125,000 people each year.

Around 30,000 used the pier for boat trips in 2016.

Pier trust chairman Dave Laut said: "Supporting local business is important to the rust and we are delighted to be working with Phil and Miranda at this exciting time in the life of the pier."

Early last year the Heritage Lottery Fund, which distributes money raised by the National Lottery, awarded the project a £1.1million grant.

The trust was also awarded grants from the Coastal Communities Fund, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, Dorset County Council, Purbeck District Council and Swanage Town Council.