Yorkshire Water has lifted the lid on a £7.6million investment it is making to improve its sewage treatment facilities in Scarborough.

The company is planning on spending the money to upgrade its Scarborough treatment works and the nearby Scalby Mills pumping station as part of a larger multi-agency project to improve the quality of beaches and bathing water along Yorkshire's coast.

Matt Thompson, a spokesperson from Yorkshire Water, commented:

"We're obviously delighted to announce this investment which hopefully demonstrates just how serious we are about ensuring that Scarborough boasts a first-class sewage treatment works and pumping station.

"It's too early to say exactly what the work will look like as the scoping project has only just begun, but if this runs as expected, it is anticipated that work will begin on-site in the early part of next year.

"As with any project of this magnitude, we'll be engaging with key stakeholders throughout the process to ensure they're kept fully up-to speed on the latest developments and also to enable us to take on board any concerns they might have in order to address these as appropriate."

Over the next five years Yorkshire Water is spending £3.5 billion to improve the region's water and sewage network, as well as the region's beaches, bathing waters and rivers.

Matt Thompson added:

"As a major local employer in Yorkshire, this investment will have a hugely positive effect on the region's economic growth, with the benefits of this expected to be felt in the pockets of people right across Yorkshire. What's more, most of the knock-on spending from our suppliers and colleagues is expected to be retained within the region, which is great news for the local economy at a time when it's most needed."