THE Government has pledged more than £2m towards a project to create major, new visitor attractions along Morecambe Bay.

The £2.35m windfall for ‘Experience Morecambe Bay’ will also help South Lakeland District Council market the new attractions, routes and experiences to visitors.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “This grant is great news for our bid to encourage more of the millions of visitors to the Lake District to the amazing attractions in our area - boosting our economy and creating jobs.

“We have the historic abbey, the dock museum, amazing beaches and nature reserves and market towns with so much to offer if all parts of Morecambe Bay can work together and be more effective at getting the message out there.”

He added: “I am looking forward to helping people plan the way forward at the tourism summit I am organising for next month.”

Investment in the North West as a whole includes more than £9.8 million for 11 projects from the Coastal Communities Fund and almost £224,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund.

Money has also been awarded to Copeland Council’s ‘Connecting Cumbria’s Hidden Coast’ project.

A total of £1.06 million has been given towards a £1.72 million project to improve visitor infrastructure, facilities and activities along Cumbria’s ‘hidden’ coast to create new visitor demand and enhance the coastal destination offer.

Communities secretary James Brokenshire MP said: “All of the ambitious projects receiving funding were designed and developed by local people who know what will make the biggest difference to their areas.

“The sheer range of ideas demonstrate the potential of our coastal communities and will all create good jobs, boost growth and improve people’s lives now and in the future.”

Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry MP said: “The world-class attractions and innovative businesses supported by the funds will increase tourism, encourage investment and ensure people thrive up and down the Great British coast.”