Work has now started on a new pier for West Bay.

It will eventually replace the existing West Pier as part of a £14million coastal defence and harbour improvements scheme being carried out by West Dorset District Council.

The council says the new pier is being built on a different alignment to provide a wider and safer access into the harbour to enable it to be used most of the year and provide a safe haven for boats in Lyme Bay.

Construction of the new pier involves driving steel piles into the ground.

Intermittent noise caused by this process is being monitored by Costain Ltd, the main contractor, and district council environmental health officers and will be mainly carried out between 8am and 6pm to reduce inconvenience.

District council leader Gwyn Pritchard said: "Although it is exciting to see the start of work on the new pier, there will be times when it will become noisy.

"West Dorset District Council is working with the contractors to keep the noise and disruption to a minimum.

"The district council will also keep people in touch with construction progress through the information centre at the old Salthouse in West Bay."

The information centre is currently open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, telephone (01308) 421517.

It will also open on Saturdays in the peak season.