THE race is on to get Lymington Quay shipshape in time for the Easter rush of visiting yachtsmen and women.

Contractors working on an £850,000 scheme to strengthen the quay wall have hit some unexpected snags and are now working flat out to overcome the difficulties.

"They have experienced some problems and it is costing quite a lot more money than they anticipated in the first place," harbourmaster Alan Coster told a meeting of the Lymington Harbour Commissioners.

Fisherman and Commissioners' chairman Graham Butler referred to the disruption being caused to fishermen and traders in the area.

Fishermen have been given the opportunity to tie up on pontoons further down the Lymington River but they are still having some problems, said Mr Butler.

The government-aided project is being managed by New Forest District Council.

Coastal projects manager Andrew Bradbury said that the original plan had been to replace about a third of the wall and repair the rest.

But it had been discovered that the entire length of the wall needed to be completely replaced.

The cost of the additional materials had not been finalised, he said, but he added that the work was likely to be completed by Easter.