Seaside resorts that have seen better days could receive a major boost in restoring them to their prime after the government announced it would pump in £45m to rejuvenate coastal economies.

Seaside resorts that have seen better days could receive a major boost in restoring them to their prime after the government announced it would pump in £45m to rejuvenate coastal economies.

Yarmouth is one of the many holiday destinations around England which could now gain access to a large pot of money designed to regenerate disadvantaged resorts.

Although the town is experiencing a mini-boom through investment in several major projects, such at the Outer Harbour and a seafront renovation, large pockets of the town remain in a deprived state because of the low paid jobs.

From 2008-11 the government will set aside £15m a year to help fund cultural or heritage regeneration programmes, which should then kick start local economies.

A bidding process will start next spring, with district councils and regional development agencies vying with each other to secure some of the £45m cash cow.

Earlier this year Yarmouth was praised by English Heritage for the way it has re-invented itself over the last 20 years as the borough council and the town's preservation trust set out to secure funding to save the town's history, including transforming South Quay and developing the Time and Tide Museum.

Tony Wright, MP for the town, now hopes that the resort's recent successes can be built upon if government cash can be used to bolster other areas.

He said: “Coastal resorts such as Yarmouth face a number of difficulties that other areas do not and this government money could be very good news for the town.

“Yarmouth has already undergone significant regeneration and this money could help us to continue this progress.”

Other seaside resorts in Norfolk and Suffolk, such as Cromer, could possibly ask the government for a share of the £45m to boost their economies.

James Purnell, the culture minister unveiling the £45m scheme in Thursday, said: “England's coastal resorts are a much loved part of our heritage, but it is a sad fact that many have been in decline in recent decades.

“Through this £45m fund some of our finest, historical resorts will be given a new lease of life.”