Over £4m is to be invested in upgrading sewage schemes along the Ards peninsula in Co Down, Northern Ireland Water has confirmed.

Works will be carried out in the village of Ballyhalbert and other southern parts of the district.

Funding will be utlilised to update wastewater treatment facilities, NI Water said.

The programme will commence with pipe-laying near Glastry on the Victoria Road this month, continuing east to Ballyhalbert village then south along the Portavogie Road.

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Pipe-laying will also be carried out in the new year in Portavogie, and is expected to last approximately seven months.

"Upgrade work on the Ballyhalbert Wastewater Treatment Works will commence in the new year with the construction of a new underground pumping station behind the existing plant," an NI Water spokesman said.

Work on the new treatment facility will take place at a site off the Victoria Road. This work will continue into early 2011.

"NI Water would like to assure the public that everything will be done to minimise disruption while this essential work is completed," added the spokesman.

(PR/BMcC)