Two tunnelling machines working under Hampshire have been named, each with a name carrying special significance.

The winning names for the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) were announced by Southern Water following a regional competition for a water infrastructure project.

The TBMs, now at work beneath the county, will help install Southern Water's 19km Southampton Link Main water pipeline, which will connect the city to the Otterbourne Water Supply Works.

The machines have been named after the Celtic goddess Ancasta and 19th-century fossil hunter Mary Anning.

Tunnel Boring Machine Ancasta.(Image: Southern Water)

Both names were selected from dozens of suggestions put forward by children across the region.

Mary Anning, suggested by 15-year-old Etty, was a pioneering fossil hunter whose discoveries along the Dorset coast included the first complete Ichthyosaur and Plesiosaur skeletons.

She was also the inspiration for the famous tongue twister, 'she sells seashells by the seashore'.

Ancasta, chosen by 13-year-old Evie, was a goddess worshipped in Roman Britain and associated with the nearby River Itchen.

Both winners received a £50 gift voucher.

Terence Hedley, senior project manager, said: "Congratulations go to both Etty and Evie for taking the time for choosing such thoughtful names.

"The new underground pipeline will run from Otterbourne to Yew Hill reservoir, near Winchester, and then south to our Rownhams water supply works on the outskirts of Southampton.

"We've worked closely with landowners and local authorities to find the most viable and least disruptive route.

"We are doing this to improve the resilience of our water network, making any future loss of water incidents less likely and helping us take less water from the precious environments of the River Test and River Itchen."

TBMs are traditionally given a female name to provide good luck for the projects, a custom following around the world.

The pipeline will add greater resilience to the water network in the county by connecting Southampton with Otterbourne Water Supply Works.