PREMIER Inn has issued an update on its Sandown seafront hotel development, targeting a spring 2020 completion date.

The £10 million hotel, which is replacing the former Carlton Hotel, has been in construction since last summer.

Whitbread, which owns the Premier Inn chain, said the ground floor of the new hotel and restaurant building is now two thirds completed.

Once the ground floor is finished, the next step will be to commence construction of the steel frame of the new building.

The company said they are doing their best to minimise disturbance, but nearby public parking bays will have to be suspended temporarily this week (commencing July 8) to install a fixed crane.

Geoff Cook, senior project and programme manager, said they "are making good progress with the construction" and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Although the current programme targets completion by spring 2020, Whitbread have said it is always subject to review.

An opening date will be set and recruitment process will begin for new roles closer to the completion date.