WORK to resurface Pier Approach begins on Monday.

A ground-breaking ceremony, kicking off Bournemouth council's £2 million 'phase two' project, will be held at 1pm.

The work follows on from the borough's £4m phase one project started in 2014, which saw the eastern side of Pier Approach repaved, a new tourism office built and a fountain water feature installed.

The new work, expected to be completed in the spring, will see the western site repaved to match the east, new 'landscaping' features and new bins sunk into the ground to increase their capacity.

The work has been scheduled to take place after Bournemouth Marathon Festival this weekend.

Council leader John Beesley said: "Pier Approach is our number one gateway to our seafront attracting millions of visitors each year.

"I am delighted that the investment is being made to complete our aspirations for this flagship location to ensure that Bournemouth’s ambition to be a leading coastal destination is met.

"This second phase of works to improve the eastern end by extending the attractive paving, new planting and providing clever waste storage solutions, should complement the first scheme perfectly."

The council says full pedestrian access to "all attractions, beach and promenade" will be maintained throughout and all businesses in the area will be open as usual. Some plants will be removed and stored to be replanted later.

There has been some preliminary work around the pier. Last month an error led to an electricity cable being damaged cutting power to a sewage pumping station.

Some sewage was pumped into the sea before power was restored to prevent it flooding the highway.

The works are funded with a £1.9m grant from the Government's Coastal Communities Fund, one of 18 such projects along the Dorset coast co-ordinated by the Dorset Coast Forum.