A £40m fund set aside to transform coastal communities has opened for applications.

The cash pot is part of the government's Coastal Communities Fund, designed to encourage investment in jobs, skills and local businesses.

500 new businesses supporting more than 5,500 jobs have been created across the UK since the fund was started in 2012. Grants totalling more than £174 million have been awarded to 295 projects.

The latest round of bidding was announced yesterday by coastal communities minister, Jake Berry, during a visit to Barrow-in-Furness to see how the fund has delivered major economic benefits for the Cumbrian town and wider coastal area.

'I'm delighted to announce that applications are now open for the next round of the Coastal Communities Fund,' said Mr Berry.

'Coastal Communities up and down the country, from Barrow-in-Furness to Brighton, have been boosted by this funding which has spurred inward investment, sustainable growth, new jobs and exciting economic opportunities for local businesses.

'By 2020, we'll have invested nearly a quarter of a billion pounds in our seaside areas, providing thousands of jobs, training places and opportunities along the Great British coast.'

Visit the coastal communities fund website for information on how to apply.