Northumbrian Water says that despite delays, the scheme in Marske is on target to be completed by April 2004.

There is already a lot of activity near the coast road in Marske, as Northumbrian Water has started work installing holding tanks.

The company says at times of heavy rainfall, the tanks will benefit local residents- improving water quality and stopping effluent flushing out of the sewers.

Northumbrian Water says the storage tanks will to hold sewage flushed out of sewers in heavy rain, as the current system cannot cope.

The sewage will then be fed back into the system for treatment.

Following public consultation and some local objections, a number of changes have been made to the original scheme.