The environment secretary Liz Truss has said she will 'look closely' at multi-million pound plans to restore Lowestoft main beach to its prime and protect the town from another devastating tidal surge.

Ms Truss made her comments this afternoon as she was given a tour of Lowestoft's seafront by Peter Aldous, Waveney MP and Colin Law, leader of Waveney District Council.

She heard how the council is looking to find up to £5m to fund work to restore the award-winning south beach back to its former glory after a winter of severe flooding and extreme weather, which led to part of it being sealed off.

And Ms Truss heard how the council wants protect Lowestoft from further tidal surges by build a tidal barrier from Hamilton Dock to South Pier as part of a project revealed in November that is costed at £18m.

After her tour Ms Truss, who is MP for South West Norfolk and was made environment secretary earlier this month said: 'I will be looking closely at the plans proposed.'

See tomorrow's Eastern Daily Press and next Friday's Lowestoft Journal for a full report.