The coastline of the Wadden Sea island of Ameland is to be strengthened with two million cubic metres of sand.

Dredgers from the government’s water management authority Rijkswaterstaat will deposit the sand on the seabed between 500 and 1,000 metres off the coast, broadcaster Nos reports.

The sea, wind and rising sea levels are eroding the coastline and doing nothing is not an option, Rijkswaterstaat says.

Sand was deposited off Ameland in 2010 and 2011 but weather conditions mean it is washed away in four or five years and needs replenishing.

The dredgers, which began work on Tuesday morning, will be in action 24/7 but will not affect visitors to the beach. Water sport fans will have to keep their distance from the ships.