Coastal Communities cash for Fleetwood and Sankey

More than £2.2m in government funding is to be invested on developing a chain of attractions along the Fleetwood coastline, and attracting new businesses to the Sankey Canal between Widnes and Warrington.

Wyre Council will receive £1.55m from the government's Coastal Communities Fund, while Warrington Council will be given £654,000 to support businesses and apprenticeships near the Mersey Estuary.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced a multi-million pound package yesterday to create jobs and apprenticeships in coastal towns across the country, including areas affected by the recent floods, as part of the UK government's long-term economic plan.

More than 50 projects across the UK were each awarded a share of £27.7m.

Hugh Evans, deputy chief executive of North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is excellent news. Fleetwood has seen more than its fair share of economic decline in recent years and this funding will provide the catalyst to deliver something special that puts the town back on the road to recovery.

"It will provide a much needed boost to local businesses because they need to be confident that things are happening before they invest and create jobs. This will generate that confidence."

Danny Alexander said: "The Coastal Communities Fund allows us to help communities across the UK to rebuild and regenerate their local economy, with projects this year supporting nearly 4,000 jobs and 1,000 training places.

"This is even more important given the extreme weather and I'm very pleased we're giving £17m of the fund to projects in areas hit by floods. Additionally, we have invested £5m from the fund's reserve into the government's programme for flood recovery."