FISHERMEN on the River Hamble now have a new £48,000 jetty where they can safely land their catches.

For years they have had to carry their catch across the river in heavily laden small boats, running the risk of being run down by larger vessels or swamped by waves.

Now a 100m jetty has been built specifically for fishermen and will be officially opened on Thursday.

It will provide a deep water berth for vessels so their catches can be unloaded on to lorries.

Fisherman Pete Marshall said: "It's far safer and makes landing our catch much easier than before."

River Hamble Harbour Board chairman Councillor Tim Knight said: "The six-strong Hamble fishing fleet exports much of its catch to Europe and is an important element of life on the Hamble.

"The new jetty is next to the public slipway in Warsash, and is sure to make the working lives of our fishermen that much easier, and certainly safer."

The jetty has been funded by grants from the River Hamble Harbour Authority and Hampshire County Council, together they have provided 25 per cent each.

The European Union, working through the Marine Fisheries Agency, has paid for the other 50 per cent.