THE public will be asked their opinion on major plans for the seafront at Avon Beach.

Significant engineering works are due to take place at the beach to raise the prom, protecting the beach against future sea level rises.

The plans were unveiled last year, with concrete blocks being placed along the beach as temporary flood defences.

Concerns have been raised by residents about the 60 interlocking blocks, with the council set to bury them under the sand.

Originally the council intended for the blocks to remain in place on the promenade itself all through the summer.

Now, ahead of a planning application for the works due to the submitted in June, residents have been asked for their opinion on how the finished scheme may look.

The Dorset Coast Forum is hosting several drop-in engagement events, as the proposal is part of a portfolio of projects taking place across the county.

Work is expected to take place this autumn and feedback will be put into the final designs.

A team of people will be on the beach, by Avon Beach car park, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Project co-ordinator, Natalie Poulter said: "Carrying out this engineering work will reduce the risk of coastal erosion, and benefit visitors to the area and residents alike.

"Functional engineering does not have to be unsightly though, and this is where we’d like residents and visitors to tell us which bits of Avon Beach’s character they love, to help us develop a final user-friendly scheme that everyone can enjoy in the future."

The Tuesday session will be held between 8am and 7pm, Thursday from 11am until 3pm and Sunday from 11am until 4pm.

Christchurch council approved the £120,000 promenade improvement work back in February.

The council has been working with the owners of the Noisy Lobster restaurant over solutions to improve the coastal defences following the devastating storm on Valentine’s Day 2014.