An open air music venue, visitor centre and attraction to showcase the historic Beach Village are among some of the ideas people from Lowestoft would like to see at the country's most easterly point.

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It comes as a scheme to transform Ness Point in Lowestoft into a true visitor attraction – making it a landmark tourist destination to rival Land's End and John O'Groats – has been welcomed by business leaders and an MP.

Waveney District Council, businesses and community groups were successful in their bid for more than £1m from the Department of Communities and Local Government to regenerate the North Denes area of Lowestoft, where the old Beach Village once stood, and promote the East of England Park.

The council – working on behalf of the Lowestoft Coastal Communities Team (CCT) – aims to use the money to transform the area and create a visitor attraction at Ness Point on what is currently an 'unappealing semi-derelict green space and seafront promenade'.

It will be transformed into an events and cultural heritage space – with festivals and an outdoor cinema among the plans being mooted. A council spokesman said: 'Among the schemes that will be introduced, there will be new 'wayfinders', entry points and improved cycling and pedestrian linkages. The green space will come to life as a new cultural events space for commercial, educational and community activities where revenue opportunities will be realised, including festivals, outdoor cinema and concession stands.'

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Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: 'This is very, very good news.

'I think Ness Point, being the most easterly point, is something of a hidden jewel, which has been hidden away for a long, long time.

'Now, having come up with these proposals, it will help reveal it and make it a key attraction to promote Lowestoft.

'With marketing and upgrading the whole area it will be a real attraction for Lowestoft, very much putting us on the map like John O'Groats and Land's End.'

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Danny Steel, Lowestoft Vision chairman, said: 'Lowestoft Vision and the wider Suffolk Chamber of Commerce family is a proud partner in the Coastal Communities team.

'This announcement is fantastic news for the town and recognition for the work the CCT has undertaken.'

COMMUNITY REACTION Ben Bullard said: 'Better signage to help tourists find it; a visitor centre allowing people to come in and find out about the area, as the one at the East Point Pavilion is no longer there; better parking to allow for the extra visitors, and a few amenities, such as toilets, shops that sell local goods and a general clean up, as the area is a little unpleasing on the eye.'

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Margaret Parker said: 'A model village of the Beach Village and history of it all.'

Gary Knights added: 'A free car park, café, undercover seating, open air music venue and a heritage museum.'

Chris Mutimer said: 'A shelter for watching birds at sea would be nice.'

Simon Boor, of Corton, said: 'I'd like to see either a new wind turbine or modifications made to the existing one to incorporate a publicly accessible viewing platform like the one at Swaffham. The views from the top would be amazing. You'd be able to see the sunrise before anyone else in the UK.'

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Charlie Bere added: 'Spend it on the pier or volleyball on the beach or barbecue areas on south beach like they have in the rest of the world.'

ABOUT BRITAIN'S FOUR POINTS OF THE COMPASS BRITAIN'S MOST EASTERLY POINT - Ness Point, also known as Lowestoft Ness, is marked with a circular plaque called Euroscope, which indicates the distance to other points of Britain and Europe.

MOST WESTERLY POINT - Ardnamurchan Point lies at the western end of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland.

MOST SOUTHERLY POINT - Lizard Point, Cornwall, is situated half-a-mile south of Lizard village in Landewednack.

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MOST NORTHERLY POINT - Dunnet Head is a peninsula in Caithness, on the north coast of Scotland. The point, known as Easter Head, is about 18km west-northwest of John o' Groats.

Traditionally the extent of Britain has stretched from Land's End to John o' Groats – from the extreme southwest of England to the far northeast of Scotland. Land's End is one of the country's most famous landmarks – featuring a visitor centre, pathways leading to breathtaking views and historical landmarks, John o' Groats attracts large numbers of tourists from across the world, with many seeing the village for its iconic 'end of the road' location.