A COASTAL defence scheme to protect part of Hampshire from the power of the sea has been declared a success.

The scheme at The Towers, in Netley, saw wire cages filled with rock put across Netley Foreshore.

The residents worked with developers of Netley Court School and Eastleigh Borough Council to build the coastal defences after approaching the council with concerns that a section of foreshore was unprotected.

Eastleigh Borough Council offered them a grant of £13,000 towards the costs of the defences, and a repayable grant of £50,000 towards the costs of the scheme.

Eastleigh Borough Council leader Cllr Keith House said “This project was a great example of a council acting to help to solve a problem residents could not sort out by themselves.

“Private individuals with the help of the constructors, parish and local council have combined to create something substantial, for the benefit of those individuals and the local community.”