It has been announced today that Ramsgate is receiving top level government funding in its £3 million plans to revamp coastal heritage sites.

The Ramsgate Harbour Street project will receive a grant of £50,000 to kick-start restoration work.

It is the only project in Kent to receive the top level of funding.

Ramsgate Town Council and the Ramsgate Society made a joint bid linking the Historic Harbour, Clock House and Harbour Street.

The money will be put towards a regeneration initiative that matches the fund’s aim of linking town centre and coastal renewal.

Chairman of the Ramsgate Society John Walker said: "This is a perfect example of partnership.

"The council and the society each had a good idea but only one scheme was going to be accepted in Thanet, and the joint bid will benefit the whole town, its residents and visitors."

It is hoped the investment will attract private and public investment and support more jobs for the area.

In the project description it states: “Ramsgate’s rundown Harbour Street is to be regenerated as an attractive thoroughfare linking town and historic Royal Harbour where the Clock House marking Ramsgate Mean Time and Smeaton Dry Dock (both Grade II*) will be repaired and restored to former glory.”

Across the whole of the south east, 16 projects have been awarded almost £700,000, and nationally £3m has been split up over 77 projects with top level funding capped at £50,000.

Communities Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Our coastal communities boast some iconic attractions, with millions visiting them each year.

“But some of our best-loved buildings are falling into a state of disrepair, the three million pound Coastal Revival Fund aims to restore them to their former glory.

“This funding will now kick-start the restoration work for these projects, so they can continue to be enjoyed by local people and tourists alike for generations to come.”

The government says it is committed to reviving seaside towns, so it can diversify their economies, attract investment and secure their long-term future.

Today’s fund will help Ramsgate start the work to bring back buildings which have suffered years of disrepair.

The harbour is also designated as a site of industrial importance, one of less than a dozen in the country, and official recognition of the site will boost the ongoing programme.