Seaside towns around the UK are to receive a cash boost for projects that bring new leisure and business opportunities to costal communities.

Twenty seaside projects have been given grants of up to £2.6m each from the Costal Communities Fund. The money will support projects such as rejuvenating old heritage and leisure facilities, schemes to provide skills training and advice and helping businesses embrace digital technology.

The £16m fund is raised from the Crown Estate's marine assets and reinvested in coastal areas.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said: "It's a missed opportunity if we don't tap into the huge potential our coastal towns have to welcome new industries and to diversify their economies so they can become year-round success stories.

"We've seen enormous enthusiasm for this government fund and had to make some difficult choices but the projects we've chosen will create thousands of jobs and help many start-up businesses."

Projects that will receive the funding include £500,000 for the Morecambe Bay PartnershipMorecambe Bay Partnership, Cumbria County Council to enhancing the area as a tourism destination.

Cable and Wireless Porthcurno and Collections Trust, Cornwall will receive £149, 587

to develop the Porthcurno Telegraph MuseumPorthcurno Telegraph Museum to include a learning centre and new galleries.

£2m is being allocated to Sunderland City Council to support the regeneration of the historic seafront area of Seaburn and create a new mixed-use leisure-led development.

North Tyneside Council will get almost £2m to regenerate under-used tourism facilities and undertake improvements to the promenade and seafront to enhance the image of the area and improve the visitor offer.

Next year the Coastal Community Fund will increase by £4m to £28m, a 17 per cent increase on this year