PROTECTION for beaches in Christchurch ahead of severe weather this winter has been completed.

Scheduled beach work between Highcliffe and Mudeford Quay has now finished following several weeks of repairs.

New Forest civil engineering company Earlcoate Construction carried out the works and essential repairs to the coastal defences on the beaches.

This included the partial reconstruction of rock revetment and groynes, recycling of beach material and other works.

The ten week project, which started in November, was finished last week.

Steve Woolard, coastal engineer said: "We are delighted that the programmed coast protection works have been successfully completed along the Christchurch frontage in preparation for this coming winter.

"Severe weather conditions might force future works to be carried out in early 2017, but the current phase of works have now concluded."

The latest works come after a major project last year to restore the beaches to the same level as 2013.

Around 25,000m3 of sand and shingle was removed from the run between Mudeford Quay and Sandbank, and transported to Friars Cliff beach, Gundimore beach and the remainder levelled out on Avon Beach.

A separate scheme to protect Avon Beach has seen a concrete wall built between Friars Cliff and Avon Beach ahead of a request for £120,000 of council funding to raise a 200m section of the low-lying walkway.

The wall is a temporary measure until a permanent solution to raise 200m of the walkway is approved.

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

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.