However, during the construction process and on many occasions since, the breakwater has suffered from severe storm damage, and regular repair work has been required for many years.

More recently, the cost of maintaining the structure has risen to around £750,000 p. a.

Four firms shortlisted for the project have been sent final tender documents, and have until the beginning of September to submit their proposals.

"The shortlisted companies are being asked to submit tenders on a design and build basis. This will be for the retention of the existing breakwater or any alternative arrangement that will secure, as far as possible, the provision of at least the current level of harbour facilities", said a spokesman for the States of Guernsey Advisory and Finance Committee.

"Tenderers were encouraged to put forward proposals that they considered best met the requirements of the States so that the optimum solution could be secured", said the Committee.

Consulting engineers Babtie Limited, the independent advisers appointed by the Committee, will be tasked with carrying out evaluation and detailed independent assessment of all tenders received. Their remit will be to identify the solution or solutions offering best value.

There will then be a period of public consultation, including presentations in Guernsey and Alderney. A full report and recommendations will subsequently be submitted to the States.

The final proposals are unlikely to be considered by the States before January 2003.

If the scheme receives approval, work on the site will commence later next year.

The four companies invited to tender were selected based on past experience, commercial soundness and the general approach presented during the initial interview stage.

In May, the Board of Administration, Alderney Policy and Finance Committee and the Advisory and Finance Committee selected the four companies who have now been invited to submit tenders for the remediation work.

The four firms from a total of 43 that expressed an interest in tendering for the project are:

Besix; E Pihl & Son AS; John Mowlem & Company Ltd; and Van Oord ACZ.

Babtie Group was appointed by the Advisory and Finance Committee as independent advisers on the Alderney breakwater tendering process two years ago.

The Babtie Group's role has been to advise on the preparation of the invitation to tender and to assess the tenders received.

The process of re-building the breakwater will not be straightforward even once a contract has been awarded, however. The winter weather will prevent work from being carried out for several months a year, and the work is expected to take five years to complete.