THE ISLE of Wight has been chosen to take part in a major Europe-wide study into coastal erosion.

The Island council's centre for the coastal environment at Ventnor is to have a key role in the £3.6m study under the EU's LIFE Environment Programme.

The project, called EUrosion, has identified a number of key European study sites, with the Island chosen to illustrate how coastal erosion and ground instability problems are tackled and managed.

The project is being led by the Dutch Ministry for Water and the Environment, in partnership with the French Geological Service and the University of Barcelona.

Coastal manager for the Island's council Robin McInnes said: "We are delighted that the European Commission has supported the project team's proposal to use the Island as one of the study areas.

"We shall be fulfiling a role of sub-contractor to the University of Barcelona in providing information relating to coastal erosion issues and sustainable management of the shoreline.

"Our work on previous EU-funded projects on landslides and coastal management will also be used beneficially as part of this project.

"The value of the overall contract has yet to be defined, although an initial contribution of £12,000 has been allocated."

The Island's ongoing battle against erosion, has led the coastal centre at Ventnor to become recognised internationally for its expertise.

The major problems the Island faces hit home last year with a new report indicating that rising sea levels combined with erosion could make the Island the "Isles" of Wight by the end of the century.

The bleak scenario for the Island was outlined in a £50,000 report by leading environmental consultants Halcrow for the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (Scopac).

Called Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change, the report said: "Unlike other parts of the UK, where land is rising, the Isle of Wight is sinking. Rising sea levels, together with an increasing number of storms, could lead to the removal of beaches, major flooding, and the loss of low-lying environmentally sensitive areas."

It predicted the Island being split into the "Isles" of Wight, with the invasion of sea-severing sections of land near Freshwater Bay and Yaverland.