COUNCIL chiefs are set to approve the second phase of a project to give part of the New Forest coastline a major makeover.

Plans to spend a further £78,000 on improving the seafront at Milford-on-Sea are likely to be approved at a meeting of the district council's ruling Cabinet next Wednesday.

Milford attracts a large number of visitors, but council chiefs say the beach area had become "tired" by the end of the 1990s.

The first phase of a refurbishment scheme is nearing completion and has been warmly welcomed by people living in the parish.

Now civic leaders have devised a further set of proposals, including a play area for children aged under five and repairs to a "broken down" wall in a seafront car park.

The authority is also planning to paint the backs and roofs of beach huts to smarten up their appearance.

A report to the Cabinet says: "Milford seafront is one of the most visited sections of the coast. It is also the one location that offers the potential to cater for increased use by local people and visitors alike."

The report points out that the first phase of the scheme has made a major difference to the area but stresses that more work is needed.

Julian Davis, chairman of the local parish council, said: "Stage one involved a complete revamp of the whole seafront, which was in a very poor state.

"All the feedback I've had has been positive.

"The work has made a huge difference to the area, which was beginning to look very tired. Phase two will round the whole thing off."