CANVEY’S coastline could benefit from hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding thanks to a Government scheme aimed at creating jobs and boosting tourism.

Castle Point Council is set to bid for a slice of a £90million grant scheme as part of the Coastal Communities Fund to rejuvenate the island’s seafront.

So far, the council have been handed £10,000 which will be spent on consultants, who will draw up plans on how the grant will be spent, should they receive it.

Ray Howard, veteran Canvey councillor, said; “We are hoping to get a million if we possibly can to regenerate our seafront.

“I have met with the seafront traders and the Friends of Concord Beach and Canvey Baywatch and it was a very positive meeting.

“Hopefully we will be fortunate in putting our bid together.

“We were accepted as one of ten areas across the country, including Blackpool, as an ideal candidate.

“We can’t make any decisions or put forward any suggestions yet as it has been decided that this £10,000 will be used for the consultants to draw up the plans.

“We hope to put our bid in the autumn of this year.”

John Webb, spokesman for the Canvey Bay Watch volunteer group, hopes that some of the grant could be used on improving access to Thorney Bay beach.

He said: “We would like a proper tarmacked slope from the car park entrance and a proper toilet block so that people can use the toilets, rather than having to use the ones in the cafe, which can be difficult for people.

“We are currently putting in bays on the beach so that people in wheelchairs can enjoy it as much as possible.”

Southend Council has already benefited from Government cash, receiving more than £1.2 million to improve its seafront.

A lagoon opened at Three Shells Beach this summer, and the the Southend Marine Activities Centre was set up to attract tourists and boost watersports in the town.

For more information on the funding, visit biglotteryfund.org.uk.