ENGINEERS at Scarborough Borough Council have agreed to work with the resort's civic society over the building of a controversial seawall along the Marine Drive.

It follows a public protest by the society which claims that the seawall scheme, designed to protect the drive, will have a damaging effect on views of the sea.

Chairman Peter Cooper said "If the plans go ahead the new wall will stretch for some 2,300 yards along the Marine Drive and Royal Albert Drive.

He said: "Because the drive is nearly a century old we appreciate that it is probably nearing the end of its life, but we feel more consideration could be given to reshaping and strengthening the current sea wall rather than building a potential eyesore."

The project is likely to cost £23 million and will involve the building of a big wall of rock armour in the form of pre-cast interlocking blocks.

Scarborough council's head in engineering John Riby said "We are happy to work with the society in designing the new wall. We feel we have come up with a pragmatic approach which seeks to balance the need to stop the sea crashing on to the road while taking public safety into account."