WORK on essential sea defences in Bispham could end up costing hundreds of thousands of pounds more than expected after the construction company has had to down tools on site.

Construction has now ground to a halt at the site on the promenade, pictured here, opposite Red Bank Road after contractors Christiani and Neilsen ran into financial problems.

Blackpool council has now put the job of completing the work out to tender to two new companies which will vastly increase the price tag on the project.

John Shaw, chief engineer for the project said the project was approximately 70 per cent complete, but work had officially ceased on November 17.

The work should have been completed by this Christmas, but the company's troubles led to the project falling behind schedule.

"We had already become slightly concerned about the project because of the delays," said Mr Shaw. "And in November work stopped.

"We have now put the job out to tender to two companies and expect to hear back by the end of January.

"It will definitely have costing implications," said Mr Shaw, although he could not be specific as to an amount more than the £1.8 million the original contract was set at.

International company Christiani and Neilsen won the £1.8 million contract to build the sea defences in Bispham in January and work began in early spring.

But now the company has gone into administration, which means it can no longer trade and workers have had to leave the site in Blackpool.

It is also believed the company's financial situation has led to problems in completing a spectator stand at Aston Villa's Villa Park stadium as well as the cancellation of a project to build a light railway in the North East of England.

No new schedule for the work has been set but Mr Shaw was confident work would be complete before the summer season starts.

Coun Donald Clapham from Bispham said he wanted to reassure hoteliers and residents in the area that the project was not stagnant and they would not have to worry that work would disrupt the summer season.