A major water facility serving parts of Ringwood, New Milton, and Lymington is set for a significant upgrade.

Bournemouth Water has completed preparatory work at its Knapp Mill Water Treatment Works, as part of an £85 million upgrade project.

The plant provides drinking water to around 163,000 people in Christchurch, Ringwood, New Milton, Lymington, and Beaulieu.

Director of drinking water services at Bournemouth Water, Richard Stanbrook, said: "Preparation works at Knapp Mill have progressed well over the last seven months, setting the stage for a major transformation of one of our key treatment works.

"This upgrade will bring cutting-edge water treatment technology to the region and help us to deliver better tasting, cleaner and more sustainable water for years to come."

The project is part of a wider £200 million investment to modernise and future-proof the water system.

The upgraded facility is set to begin delivering water to Bournemouth households by spring 2026.