A NEW jetty is set to make life easier for fishermen on the River Hamble.

The new £48,000 walkway is specifically designed for fishermen in the six-strong Hamble fishing fleet who previously had to carry their catches across the river in small boats.

Opening the 100m jetty, Councillor Tim Knight, who is chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Board, praised the addition to the harbour and said it is sure to make the lives of fishermen safer and easier.

"The six-strong Hamble fishing fleet exports much of its catch to Europe and is an important element of life on the Hamble," he said.

Catches will now be unloaded straight into lorries from the boats as the jetty provides a deep water berth for vessels.

The jetty has been funded by grants from the River Hamble Harbour Authority and Hamp-shire County Council, which have provided 25 per cent each.

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