WORK is taking place this week to improve coastal defences along a stretch of Christchurch beach.

Contractors are carrying out work on behalf of Christchurch Borough Council at Gundimore Beach, which runs between Mudeford and Avon Beach.

The repairs at the western end of the area began on Monday.

Earlcoate Construction are adding a secondary row of Purbeck limestone rock armour to the rear of the existing sea defence and backfilling to the beach path with recovered beach shingle.

The work is weather and tidal dependent, but due to be completed by Friday.

In 2014, beach huts were flattened at Friars Cliff and Avon Beach during the Valentine's Day storm.

Since then, the council has invested significant sums to enhance and improve the coastal defences in the borough.