PART of a beachside promenade could be raised by almost a metre in a bid to protect against devastating floods.

Temporary defences have been installed at Avon Beach in Christchurch ahead of a request for £120,000 of council funding to raise a 200m section of the low-lying walkway.

Concrete blocks were put in place along the prom between Friars Cliff and the Noisy Lobster cafe last week following a request by the business owners.

The 60 blocks will remain until a long-term solution is approved, the council said. Work could start in autumn next year.

The concrete blocks cost £45,000, which was funded by the owner of the Noisy Lobster, with the council paying the installation cost.

The cafe owners called for more defences following Storm Angus in November. In 2014, 70 beach huts were destroyed in the Valentine's Day storm which battered the Dorset coast.

Last year the council carried out eight weeks of work to replenish the beaches to 2013 levels.

Lindsay Cass, head of property and engineering at the council said: “The temporary flood defences have been installed to protect beach huts after flooding of the promenade occurred during Storm Angus.

"They will remain in place until the council approves funding to raise the promenade to make it level with the higher sections on either side, something we would like to do in autumn 2017.

“The work has been carried out on land leased by the owner of the Noisy Lobster with all technical expertise provided by council officers.

"While we would hope not to experience such severe storms as those of 2014 it is important we are in the best position to deal with any future storms and the flooding that might occur.”

A decision on the temporary wall was made under delegated powers and was not discussed at committee.

A spokesperson for the council said a formal member decision was not required as the work was on land leased from the council and did not require planning permission.

Funding for work to raise the section of the promenade will be taken to policy and resources committee on February 8.

It will be considered as part of the 2017/18 capital programme.