Andrew Emery, service development officer for the seafront, said, "It will put Boscombe on the map as a surfing resort. It will be a European first." "There are no artificial surf reefs in the northern hemisphere. There are two in Australia, one in New Zealand and one is being built in America at present so this is the first in Europe and the northern hemisphere." The sand bags are tough, up to 100 feet in length and will create a surf reef of around two and a half acres, 245 yards offshore.

The reef will be installed between May and August and ready to use by September this year. It is part of an £8 million surfing themed regeneration project, the Boscombe Spa Village scheme, which started today with work on the listed entrance building to Boscombe Pier. The project will also see a restaurant with panoramic sea views created along the seafront and a Mediterranean style piazza and open air events space in front of the pier. The pier will have a viewing platform next to the surf reef and a heritage display.

In a break with tradition, there will not be any amusement arcades but there will be surfing themed shops, art and sculpture instead. The project also includes improved changing facilities and 42 "super chalets" for purchase and hire.

Bosses at Bournemouth Borough Council hope the project will create around 60 full-time and 30 part-time jobs with the extra demand for surf equipment, training, accommodation, food, drink and entertainment. A council economic impact assessment suggested publicity surrounding the reef will create an image value of £10 million per year for the resort.

Surfers spend 8% more than other holidaymakers and it costs around £500 to get kitted out for surfing, the council said. The reef will give beginner and intermediate surfers a 71 yard ride with waves from one and half to 13 feet high. It will have, at worse, a neutral effect on the environment and marine life is likely to thrive on the reef with no damage caused to the beach, the council said.

The reef will help regenerate Boscombe and its leisure industry but experts also believe it may help with coastal defences. Councillor Bron Littlewood said: "We are all very excited about really getting started on this fabulous redevelopment. "Improving the facilities at the Boscombe Pier is a pivotal move within the regeneration programme and the renewed amenities will breathe life back into the pier entrance building in time for our Easter visitors."

Five million visitors come to Bournemouth each year, generating around £77 million in revenue. Boscombe seafront has seen little investment since the 1950s and is in desperate need of renovation. A building at the end of the pier has been closed since 1989, and the rest of the pier was closed in October 2005 for safety reasons. The renovated entrance building to the pier will be open for Easter. The council funded the project mainly through selling a seafront car park to be redeveloped into 169 apartments.

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