A multi-million pound package to create jobs and apprenticeships in seaside towns across the country – including areas affected by the recent floods – has been announced as part of the UK government’s long-term economic plan to help boost growth in coastal areas.

More than 50 projects across the UK were awarded a share of £27.7m in funding, supporting more than 4,000 jobs and creating more than 1,000 new apprenticeships and training places.

In England, £17m has been allocated to development projects in areas hit by the recent severe flooding to help communities rebuild local areas following the extreme weather.

Of the 50 new projects announced, £1.3m will go towards tourism in Southend including the creation of a “Lagoon” at the Three Shells Beach, £170,000 will be used to develop Scotland’s Arran Coastal Way, two coastal nature reserves in Wareham and Weymouth will receive a share of £650,000 to enhance visitor facilities and £100,000 will help to support the development of the new watersports centre in Colwyn Bay, Wales.

Bidding for the next round of the Coastal Communities Fund is now open. £64m will be made available for projects across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland over the next three years, with priority given to flood defences and repair.

The fund is administered by the Big Lottery Fund, which has powers to deliver funding from non-Lottery sources for charitable purposes or purposes connected with health, education or the environment.