Work will get under way on a multi-million pound scheme to improve crumbling sea defences in the autumn.

The Department of the Environment has given Brighton and Hove City Council £9.1 million to strengthen defences between Brighton Marina and Ovingdean.

A £1 million grant has already been approved by the Department for Transport.

It will be the final phase of work on the Undercliff Walk, built in the Thirties by unemployed miners between Black Rock and Saltdean.

The approval of the Government cash will ensure the 18-month project starts in October. The work will include:

Encasing the old sea wall with flint-faced concrete blocks
Placing granite boulders along the foot of the wall
Rebuilding the promenade and splash wall
Renovating three groynes at Ovingdean and six by the marina
Safety measures to protect pedestrians from cliff falls of chalk
A new cafe, toilets and chalets at Ovingdean.

Granite boulders will be brought to the site by sea to reduce lorry movements to and from the area.

Council deputy environment chairwoman Heather James said: "Renewing the sea defences in the east of the city will preserve the popular walk for residents and visitors to enjoy.

"The council's success in securing funding for this important work means we can undertake the final phase on schedule."

The walk will be closed from the access ramp above the marina boatyard to the east side of Ovingdean and at times between Ovingdean and Rottingdean during work periods.

Areas of the walk will be reopened temporarily during the construction period.

The walk cost £360,000 and was opened in 1933.

The wall was made out of 150,000 flint-faced concrete blocks and the miners cut back the cliffs so they would be safe.

Severe storms in the Eighties undermined the sea defences and work on repairing the section between Ovingdean and Rottingdean was completed in 1994.