ENGINEERS will reveal their first choice scheme for protecting Lyme Regis from the sea's destructive forces next week.

Councillors will hear whether their experts think they should invest their millions on extending the Beacon rocks out into the bay or opt for a new series of timber groynes to defend the resort's ancient sea walls.

Engineers will outline the alternatives to members of the district council's overview and scrutiny committee along with the results of weeks of public consultation on the two alternatives, together with their final recommendation.

The basic design of the works between Cobb Gate and the harbour, phase 2 of the town's £20 million environmental improvement project, has been broadly agreed including building up the beach with sand and shingle. Now councillors must decide the best method for ensuring that the replenished beach is successfully held in place in the long term, particularly during severe storm conditions.

The two options on display are: Timber groynes: Seven new timber groynes would replace the four existing, dilapidated groynes. The new ones would be longer and more closely spaced.

Beacon Rocks extension: The proposal would effectively double the length of the existing Beacon Rocks on the southern arm of the Cobb. New rock of a slightly larger size than the existing material would be used because the extension would occupy deeper water.

Common to both schemes would be an extension to the Cart Road, a change in the angle of the north wall rocks, the extension of Cobb Jetty, a new masonry groyne on the beach beneath Lister Gardens and the replenishment of the beach with sand and shingle.