THE opening of Poole Bridge has been delayed until at least September, Borough of Poole (BOP) has announced.

Engineers have encountered challenging conditions during the £4.7million overhaul - which has seen the bridge out of action since last September.

When BOP announced the scheme they said it would be finished by June, but this date has already been pushed back once this year.

BOP engineering manager John Rice said: "A lot of hard work has been carried out over the last few months and we are now beginning to turn the corner on this difficult and challenging project."

The work has been hampered by a number of unforeseen underwater obstacles, including extensive remains of previous bridges on the site and a section of buried quay wall.

Mr Rice said: "We are confident that the work is moving forward and we have all the necessary resources in place to complete the project and reopen the bridge for public use in September."