REPAIRS to a seawall and railings in Cowes will begin next week, the Isle of Wight Council has announced.

The seafront was battered by overnight storms earlier in the week.

At the Esplanade, railings and paving were lifting out of the ground, and part of the seawall collapsed.

The council says engineers were on site early yesterday morning (Thursday) to make the area safe and assess the damage left in the wake of high winds, torrential downpours and strong waves.

Council contractors are back on site today to recover debris from the beach, including masonry and ironwork, before repairs get underway next week.

Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: "We are working quickly to get this section of seawall repaired after sustaining severe damage.

"These are important sea defences and this work must be carried out as quickly as possible to ensure adequate protection along this regularly walked part of the Esplanade as we head into the winter storm season."