More than £100 million will be need to be found to protect Weymouth from flooding in the long term.

Measures to protect the town, which include a tidal barrier at the harbour entrance and raised sea walls, are to be considered by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Sea defence work is predicted to cost around £106 million over the next 80 years, and councillors will examine how it could be funded.

The Weymouth Town Centre and Harbour Defence Policy, which examines how best to protect the town centre, harbour area and the Esplanade from sea and river flooding until 2094, will be considered by the Policy Development Committee on Monday, October 12.

More than £50 million is likely to be available from various sources including central government, the Environment Agency, the Dorset Local Economic Partnership, developer contributions and the borough council.

Further funding is also likely to be available from other sources including Dorset County Council.

The seafront, parts of the town centre and around the harbourside are all deemed to be at risk from coastal flooding as time progresses with the amount of properties under threat increasing over time.

It is likely that work on harbour walls would be carried out first, followed by improvements to the Esplanade.

Borough council Environment and Sustainability spokesman said: “We need to find the right long term solution to minimise the risk of flooding and help protect our community’s homes and businesses.

"We need to draw up plans now to help protect our historic and beautiful town from the threat of climate change and flooding.”

A Weymouth Flood Defence Vision Document outlining how the town can be best protected from the risk of flooding is currently being drawn-up by the council.

Tourism and Culture spokesman Cllr Jason Osborne said: “It is clear we must find the right solution to help protect our wonderful town as much as we can from the risk of flooding. I am also mindful that we must try to develop a scheme which enhances the appearance of our attractive seafront and harbour.”

Neil Watson, Environment Agency Wessex Coastal Engineer, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership to prepare for the future and reduce the risk of flooding in Weymouth. The Weymouth Town Centre and Harbour Defence Policy has potential to bring long term flood protection and act as a catalyst to sustain the economy and wellbeing of the residents of this historic town.”