Construction work on the new floodlights at the Brit Oval has begun, with the work due to be completed by May.

The project, the second major works to be done within the ground since the end of the 2008 season, after a £750,000 replacement of the outfield with a revolutionary new drainage and irrigation system was installed.

The work will see four new floodlights stretch over 130 feet into the south London sky, casting their bright light on up to 15 days of high level cricket a season.

The lights have been given a bespoke design for the Brit Oval, allowing them to be retracted to half their length when not in use, thus minimising disruption.

The new system will replace the old floodlighting solution at the ground, where a number of temporary lights and generators were set up at the ground on a day by day basis.

The new lights will offer a far higher quality of light, shone in a much tighter focus to minimise any spillage into the local area.

Clive Stephens, Surrey's operations director who has been in his post since July, said he the work would allow the Brit Oval to remain one of the best grounds in the country.

He said: "The new lights we are installing should help safeguard the future of the Brit Oval as a major international ground for years to come. The system will allow us to bid for all international matches we choose.

"With a brand new outfield and drainage system and this new set of floodlights, the Brit Oval will have to be classed as one of the very best international cricket grounds in the world."