Work to strengthen a 76-metre long section of Weymouth Harbour wall will go ahead after being given official planning consent.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's planning committee voted unanimously to give the project the go-ahead in a meeting on Wednesday.

The work will involve the strengthening of 'Wall D' - 76 metres of sheet steel pile wall close to the Pavilion and Georgian Devonshire Buildings.

A line of new sheet steel piles will be driven into the harbour bed immediately in front of the old wall. Four flights of existing ferry steps will be replaced by two new flights of steps and the closed ice-cream kiosk building at the top of the ferry steps will be demolished.

The proposal is part of a multi-million pound programme which could continue around the harbour for years.

Residents told the borough council that they fear the initial works could lead to damage to their buildings and a loss of trade. Originally the council said the works would start in February, ending in May, but the start has now been delayed until the end of September so as not to affect trade in peak season.

During Wednesday's meeting, Cllr Christine James urged that the council work with boat owners and hoteliers to ensure disruption to them is kept to a minimum during the works.