Urgent repair work has started to tackle serious erosion on Bermuda's largest and best-known fort.

Fort St. Catherine has suffered hurricane damage in recent years, and the "curtain wall" which protects it from the ocean is in danger of being lost altogether — as well as a large portion of the structure.

The Department of Parks has announced that a maintenance programme, expected to last eight to 12 weeks, is now underway.

This will involves sand-blasting out weak stone and replacing it with reinforced concrete. The face of the concrete will then be blended with Bermuda stone.

Government insists work will be restricted to a small portion of the beach and will have a minimal impact on visitors.

Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said: "The latest renovation work being carried out at Fort St. Catherine will help protect one of Bermuda's best known cultural treasures for many years to come.

"This project is important not only to maintain and preserve Bermuda's cultural heritage for residents, but also as the fort is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Island."

The present fort dates from 1814 and overlooks the beach where Bermuda's first settlers came ashore when their ship the Sea Venture was shipwrecked in 1609.

Hurricane Gert, in 1999, was responsible for some of the most severe destruction at the fort. Experts say the direction of the waves, the shallow shoreline in front of the fort and the storm surge combined to cause extensive damage to the structure.