The Broads has received £82,000 in funding for urgent repairs following the winter storms and flooding.

The recent storms caused damage to footpaths, bridleways, locks and bridges across five parks in England. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has provided nearly £400,000 after receiving applications from the parks.

Environment Minister Lord de Mauley said: 'The Broads is the jewel in the crown of our precious natural environment – this investment will ensure it remains so. Given each pound spent by National Parks on recreation provides £4 of wider benefit, it is essential to get our parks back to the highest standards ahead of the busy tourism period.'

In the Broads, the Mutford lock at Oulton Broad, which facilitates over 1,000 boat passages a year, will be restored after coastal flooding in December damaged electrical and hydraulic systems leaving staff to operate the lock manually.

The latest funding adds to the existing measures the government has taken to rebuild Britain after the winter floods.

Other initiatives include grants of up to £5,000 for homeowners and businesses flooded between December 1 and March 31 to make their properties more resilient to future floods.