A major scheme to upgrade tidal defences off Frinton and Holland-on-Sea is on target to start later this month.

Tenders for the £1.2m project were returned at the end of September and applications have been made for marine licences and consents for the work.

The Environment Agency prepared the programme after looking at various options for the best way to protect the coastline.

One of these had been to retreat further inland behind Frinton Golf Course and the Holland Haven Country Park, but that was ruled out.

The preferred option was to sustain the existing alignment by stengthening the sea defences with a cash grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Roy Smith, a member of the Essex Flood Defence committee, said the project was well on target.

"The main thrust of the work will be adding rocks to the existing defences and these are due to be delivered at the end of the year," he said.

"The work of putting those into place will start early next year, with completion in March."

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