WORK to replace the boardwalk at Studland's Shell Bay is due to start thanks to National Trust visitors and an ongoing fundraising drive.

The bulk of the £48,000 needed for the project has been provided by the Neptune Coastline Campaign, the National Trust's longest running fundraising campaign.

Additional funds were also donated by visitors and by runners who took part in the recent Studland Stampede.

National Trust spokesman Jon Bish said: "Work on the new boardwalk is due to start following an environmental assessment and permission from Natural England to carry out work in a national nature reserve.

"The new structure will run parallel to the existing boardwalk over the reed bed from Shell Bay car park to the beach."

It is hoped the marine-treated hardwood should last up to 30 years, and unlike the original boardwalk, it will take visitors to the top of the dunes to make the most of the sea views.

Work is scheduled to continue throughout the winter to minimise the impact on wildlife, including water voles which are known to live nearby. The National Trust says the boardwalk is due to be completed by April next year.

A National Trust spokesman said: "The existing boardwalk will be removed, along with sand which over the years has formed a shoal in the water beneath it after falling from visitors' shoes as they leave the beach.

"The sand will be used to replenish nearby dunes."

This year is the 50th anniversary of the National Trust's Neptune coastline campaign which has helped safeguard more than 300 miles of coastline in the south west.

Throughout this year the national Trust has been celebrating this milestone anniversary with a programme of activities, events and challenges.