Almost £45m has been awarded to two Norfolk towns for schemes which will breathe new life into them and provide better bus, pedestrian and cycle links.

A project in King's Lynn, which would protect the town's historic South Gate, has been awarded £24m and a scheme to regenerate Great Yarmouth's North Quay will get a £20m boost.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said the £2bn for more than 100 projects across the country showed the government's commitment to 'levelling up'.

The money awarded to Norfolk County Council for King's Lynn is for the town's Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme, also known as the King's Lynn STARS project.

That project is part of a masterplan for the Southgates area of the town, which would support economic growth and improve access to the town.

Eastern Daily Press: South Gate in King's LynnSouth Gate in King's Lynn (Image: Ian Burt)

Part of the proposal would see the 15th century South Gate protected, with traffic diverted from going through it and the area pedestrianised.

The government said the £24m will provide "vital connections between residents and the city centre, while preserving the unique heritage of the 15th century South Gate."

The £20m for Great Yarmouth would regenerate the town's North Quay and help transform the area around the railway station.

Backed by the town's MP Brandon Lewis, the scheme would see new pedestrian and cycle links.

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth MP Brandon LewisGreat Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis (Image: UK Parliament)

The money comes from the Department for Levelling Up, as the prime minister promised to "build a future of optimism".

There has previously been criticism that the East of England has missed out on money, compared to other parts of the country.

Eastern Daily Press: Prime minister Rishi SunakPrime minister Rishi Sunak (Image: LEON NEAL)

Mr Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

“That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom.

“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”

The levelling up vision was one pioneered by former prime minister Boris Johnson, who promised to "level up" towns and communities across the UK.