WORK has started on preparing the site of a new sand and gravel quarry near Romsey.

Ron Isaac, in his 50th year with the Raymond Brown Group, officially broke the ground at Roke Manor Quarry, Shootash as the firm’s directors looked on.

The site will see the extraction of 750,000 tonnes of sand and gravel at a rate of 125,000 tonnes a year.

The firms says the site should be restored to its original state by 2025.