A MULTI-MILLION pound project to improve bathing water in Shanklin has finished resulting in a designation of 'excellent' for the sea side town's waters.

Southern Water has completed a £4 million project, across 18 months , which involved managing waste, planting trees and putting in fencing in a bid to improve the areas water.

Shanklin is now classed by the Environment Agency as an ‘Excellent’ Designated Bathing Water.

The company targeted issues such as sewer maintenance, animal faeces, privately owned sewerage systems, emergency or storm overflow and water run-off from land. All of which have impact on surrounding waters.

Southern Water Regional Manager, Keith Herbert, said: “I live on the Isle of Wight myself and our region’s bathing waters are precious and among the cleanest in the UK, so I am delighted to be able to shout about the multi-million pound bathing water enhancement project that took place here.

“The project was ambitious because bathing waters are influenced by so many factors, many of which sit well outside our control, however, to succeed we worked with a number of partners.

“While this project has now completed, Southern Water’s efforts to protect the bathing water in the area doesn’t end here, of course an ongoing focus remains on ensuring Shanklin maintains its excellent status and we are looking forward to entering the 2020 bathing season soon.”