A new drinking water fountain has been installed on the Ha’penny Pier at Harwich.

The project, a collaboration between Harwich Haven Authority and Sea-Changers, supported by Bunzl, aims to provide free water to the public while reducing single-use plastic consumption.

Positioned next to the shower units at the front of the pier, the fountain installation is supported by Sea-Changers to combat the problem of marine litter and protect delicate marine ecosystems.

Sea-Changers co-founder Helen Webb said: "We are delighted to support the installation of a Coastal Water Fountain at Ha’penny Pier.

"Our Coastal Fountain Fund aims to tackle the increasing problem of single-use plastic bottles left behind along the coast as marine litter, which damage sensitive marine environments and harm the species that live there.

"We hope this fountain will significantly reduce the number of non-reusable plastic drinks bottles found in and around Harwich harbour."

Sarah West, from the Harwich Haven Authority, added: "The fountain has been very well received and is in constant use already.

"We have been working hard to reduce the amount of single-use plastic that we use across our business, and we’re delighted that members of the local community, and visitors, now have a more sustainable option of refilling instead of buying new bottles of water."