NETWORK Rail engineers are set to start work on a £1m project to upgrade the railway's sea defences on the line close to Poole Harbour.

Passengers are being warned to check before they travel between Wareham and Poole railway stations over the Easter bank holiday weekend and the weekend following.

Sections of the sea defences have been worn away by tidal erosion so work will take place to to fill in holes this has caused.

Engineers will be working around the clock at the Holes Bay sea defences on both weekends, Network Rail insists.

During the project replacement buses will be operating between Poole and Wareham, while a revised train service will operate between Poole and Waterloo, and Wareham and Weymouth.

Network Rail route managing director Becky Lumlock said: "The work at Holes Bay is a key part of our railway upgrade plan which is making sure that we continue to provide passengers with a safe, reliable and resilient railway.

"While there's never a good time to close the railway, bank holiday weekends provide us with an extended period to get significant pieces of work done, such as at Holes Bay, when passenger numbers drop by up to 50 per cent.

"I'd like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out our work and remind them to check their journeys in advance to see how they may be affected."

Meanwhile, South West Trains customer service director Adam Piddington explained: "These works between Poole and Wareham are designed to maintain the important sea defences in the area and will help to reduce potential delays caused by severe weather.

"We would advise our passengers to plan their journeys well ahead whilst the works are taking place and check before they travel."

The work is scheduled for the bank holiday weekend, April 14-17, including Good Friday and Easter Monday, and the April 22/23 weekend.

Check nationalrail.co.uk for journey information.