WORK on a £700,000 Poole beach coastal erosion project continued today, with 700 metres of pipeline being floated out to sea.

This pipe, initially welded together in sections onshore, is part of a scheme to pump 40,000 cubic metres of sand back onto the beach at Shore Road.

During last year's winter storms this beach experienced around a decade's worth of erosion in just a couple of months, says Borough of Poole.

Earlier today sections of the pipe were floated out to sea, to the point where a dredger will connect up.

The borough is carrying out the work in a bid to protect properties from coastal erosion.

Council flood and coastal management portfolio holder Cllr Xena Dion said: “The winter storms of last year demonstrated how important coastal protection is for our properties and infrastructure in Poole.

“Building the beaches back up to their previous levels will help ensure the beaches are ready to provide protection from future winter storms.”

The sand being dredged from Poole Harbour's Swash Channel will be pumped onto the beach and levelled by bulldozers. It is hoped this will raise the beach level by up to a metre.

Sections of the beach may be temporarily closed while the 24-hour, two-week scheme takes place.

Visit poolebay.net to check out the project's progress.