Northern Ireland's social development minister, Nelson McCausland, has announced plans worth £287,000 to transform Newcastle in County Down into a tourist destination.

The project will include the purchase of a portable cinema, provision of a covered event space to promote events all year round and the erection of a gateway feature for the town.

The funds also cover the development of a marketing and branding strategy to create a unique identity for the area.

The Department for Social Development will provide £255,000 of funding, with the remaining £32,000 coming from Down District Council.

The project follows on from a previous investment of £3.5m to turn the town into a high quality seaside attraction and ‘activity resort’ for Northern Ireland.