A £116 million project to remove 22 pylons and nearly 9km of overhead lines in the Dorset countryside has been completed.

The scheme, at Blagdon Hill above Martinstown, by OFGEM and the National Grid was designed to improve the landscape in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The scheme, which came after more than two years' of work, is the first of its kind in the world to replace existing structures, solely to enhance the landscape.

The cables have now been buried underground after that was chosen as the preferred method to screening or camouflaging the towers.

An innovative horizontal drilling technique was used to take the cables under the A35, ensuring minimal impact and disruption.

The project resulted in road closures and diversions for local drivers on minor roads and occasional traffic light control on the main Dorchester to Bridport Road.

The team behind the work, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, also had to construct their own road to get to most of the site.

Public drop in sessions were held since the project began in 2015.

The project delivery company BakerHicks used these sessions to work with local communities, landowners and other stakeholders throughout the project.

The routing of the cable system was designed to minimise impact on the area's archaeological treasures and ecology.

Lucas Wille, director for power at BakerHicks, said: "This was a ground-breaking and highly complex project which required detailed knowledge of the technical challenges involved.

"We have been involved right from the very beginning of this project, and it is immensely rewarding to see this fantastic scheme complete and the goal of enhancing the beauty of the area achieved.

"It leaves a lasting legacy, enabling locals and tourists alike to enjoy the stunning scenery of the South Dorset Downs for generations to come."

Paul Hamnett, Senior Project Manager for National Grid, said: "This is the culmination of years of complex engineering and construction work which would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of the site team and the patience of the local community.

"Our goal has always been to enhance this beautiful landscape, and now we’re seeing the fruits of our labour with the fields we used for civil engineering works being reinstated and the successful removal of 8.8km of overhead cables and 22 pylons.”

Dorset's AONB was designated in 1959 and covers over 40 per cent of the county.

It stretches from Lyme Regis to Poole Harbour and as far north as Blandford Forum.