WORKS have begun on the next phase of a major project to help protect one of the south’s best-known landmarks.

English Heritage the charity responsible for Hurst Castle announced that work has started this week.

It comes after part of the landmark seawall collapsed in February.

The works will involve underpinning Hurst Castle’s Victorian east wing by injecting a specialist resin to consolidate the shingle which underlies its foundations, providing additional support for its historic masonry.

Once this is complete, heavy equipment will be able to access the site safely to clear the damaged part of the outer wall allowing the team to assess how best to protect the breach from the elements.

This latest works follow completion of the first phase, which saw the team create 90 metres of sea defences to protect the castle’s east wing, using thousands of tonnes of granite and shingle.

Since then, English Heritage’s specialist advisors have been conducting detailed monitoring and planning to understand the complex pressures the castle is facing and plan this next phase of work.

English Heritage’s Estates Director Rob Woodside said: “We are very pleased to be embarking on this next stage of the project, we remain committed to Hurst Castle and will continue to do all we can to protect it.

"However we have always been clear that there can be no quick fix to the issues it is facing and our monitoring over the spring and summer has revealed an even more complicated picture, including renewed movement within the walls not only in the east wing, but also in the west wing."

The Tudor keep at Hurst Castle - the most historic part of the castle – remains open to the public whilst the works take place.