North East seaside projects win revamp cash

Visitors travel to Seaburn for the annual Sunderland Air Show

Four North East seaside areas are sharing government payouts of up to £2m which are promised to create hundreds of jobs.

Cash from the Coastal Communities Fund will be used for a range of project in Sunderland, North Tyneside, Blyth and Redcar and Cleveland.

Sunderland City Council will get the largest allocation of £2m to aid the revamp of Seaburn seafront.

It is estimated the scheme will result in more than 500 permanent jobs.

In North Tyneside, £1.9m will be used to regenerate under-used facilities on Whitley Bay's promenade.

Redcar and Cleveland Council is to get £580,720 to creating a coastal heritage trail, which aims create up to 195 jobs.

The Port of Blyth receives £500,000 to help redevelop an area of the quayside to establish a maritime heritage visitor centre and community hub.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "This money will help these areas tap into new business opportunities that will create jobs and boost skills that will benefit the whole community."