Work to protect and shore up a river bank close to a long-distance path has been completed.

The Shipwrights Way through Bordon Inclosure was threatened as parts of the Wey riverbank close to Canes Bridge were disappearing.

Experts put the loss down to a combination of river erosion and dogs entering the Wey, with splashing causing soil to fall into the water.

Bank protection works were carried out early this year with a revetment, using recycled woody debris, being installed.

Repairs have also been made to the path beside the embankment, while the addition of a “dog dip installation” should also prevent further erosion of the riverbank on the upstream side.

The site is managed by the Deadwater Valley Trust on behalf of Whitehill Town Council with the pair continuing to monitor the section for further erosion.

The project cost £29,000 with funding for the embankment works coming from the S106 developer contribution pot at East Hampshire District Council.

Councillor Linda Delve, chair of the WTC Greenspace Sub Committee, has hailed the success of the works.

She said: “The works completed over the last few weeks will protect the river bank in this section of Bordon Inclosure from further erosion in the future, as will the installation of the new dog dip.”

However, another problem has arisen in a different part of the Inclosure as a key route was recently taped off.

Part of the recently installed boardwalk which links Bordon and Lindford through the beauty spot was closed after parts were deemed unsafe.

Meanwhile, one of the DVT’s longest-serving rangers is heading for pastures new as Brendan Finnegan has decided to retire after 12 years with the group.

He is seeking a “more sedate pace of life” but close friends doubt he’ll be putting his feet up soon.