East coastal communities get £3.5m regeneration funds

The money for Alicat Workboats will create 10 jobs

Coastal communities across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are to receive more than £3.5m of government funding.

Essex Wildlife Trust will get £1.5m for a new visitors' centre on the Naze peninsula, and Southend Borough Council will receive £1.3m to expand tourism.

The Cromer to Great Yarmouth coast path in Norfolk is to get £200,000 and there is £631,000 for the Lowestoft boatbuilding college, Suffolk.

The awards come from the Big Lottery's Coastal Community Fund.

The Salvation Army at Hadleigh Farm and Country Park near Southend on Sea, Essex, is set to receive £170,00 to fit out a cafe kitchen and to provide work experience and an employment training programme.

Marine hub

The park hosted the mountain bike races during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Another project in Norfolk is set to benefit from £165,00.

Alicat Workboats in Great Yarmouth will use the money to build an all-weather facility so boat maintenance and construction can be continued all the year round.

Boatbuilding is also at the heart of the money for the Lowestoft International Boatbuilding Training College, with a marine heritage "hub" and water taxi established in the town.

This will enable the preservation of traditional boatbuilding skills and conservation of historic ships.