Extra £750,000 for surf reef plan

It is hoped the artificial reef would turn the town into a surf resort

An extra £750,000 will be ploughed into the construction of Europe's first artificial surf reef in Bournemouth.

Developers have agreed to give the money which will go towards building the reef in the Boscombe area.

The cash payment to Bournemouth Borough Council will be triggered once sales of the new seafront apartments reach a certain level.

The first shipment of materials for the reef is expected by the end of June with the project completed by November.

The council believes the attraction could attract 10,000 surfers each year to the south coast.

The reef is part of an £8m regeneration scheme in the area and is expected to create waves of up to 3.96m (13ft).

It is hoped the project will be completed by the end of October, depending on the weather, but the council's contract says the reef must be completed by 31 December 2008 "at the latest".