safety improvements are being carried out at a boating lake where a toddler drowned.

Alexander Clark, two, wandered away from an activity session and fell into the water.

After his death, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents carried out an investigation and raised a series of safety concerns.

Now, more than 18 months after the tragedy, work on the £80,000 project has begun.

In line with the RSPA recommendations, three fenced decks will be built at the side of Mewsbrook Park Lake in Littlehampton, to provide a secure footing for people who want to get closer to the water.

New shrub beds will also be planted around parts of the lake to deter people from getting too close.

Head of parks and landscapes at Arun District Council Roger Parsons said today: "The works have been funded in response to concerns raised in a report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents following the drowning of Alexander Clark."

An inquest heard the toddler wandered out of an activity session at Littlehampton Sportsdome and fell into the lake in June 2001.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

After his death, Arun District Council commissioned a report from the RSPA into water features at the park.

Arun District Council is spending £78,250 on the improvements, to be completed by the end of next month.

The work also includes refurbishing the existing concrete sides to the lake and the area around the boat hire concession office.

New signs are to be installed at the entrances to Mewsbrook Park, providing background history for visitors and a map of the park.