A coastal park will be upgraded with new signs, seating and car park improvements thanks to an £85,000 grant.

Barton's Point, between Minster and Sheerness, will be subjected to several improvements next year after Swale council secured money from the government’s Levelling Up Parks Fund.

Set over 40 acres, Barton’s Point Coastal Park features a salt water lake, a section of the Sheppey Cycle Route and camping areas.

Many visitors use the area for orienteering, geo-caching, kite flying, water sports, picnics or dining out in the Boathouse Café.

New walking and cycling signs will be installed around the park, as well as information panels to help people learn more about its history.

The funding will also pay for new seating, tree planting, works to reduce erosion along the edge of the lake and improvements to the entrance of the car park.

Cllr Julian Saunders, chairman of the environment committee at the council, said:“Now we’ve been awarded the funding, we’ll be installing new wayfinding signs around the park to help people enjoy more walks and bike trails.

"There’ll also be some heritage interpretation panels to let visitors know more about the history of the site.

“We’ll plant 20 trees during the planting season this winter and reduce erosion at the edge of the salt water lake by supplementing the banks with shingle.

“We’ll also be resurfacing the entrance of the car park as the weather warms up in spring next year.”

There are also further plans to improve the park in the future.

Cllr Tim Valentine, vice chair of the environment committee at the council, said:“We’re delighted to be awarded this funding for Barton’s Point.

“Aside from our plans to make improvements, there’s also lots of work planned for Barton’s Point, including a new toilet and shower facility to replace the old one near the Boathouse Café, a lease for new activity operators and the Sheppey Sea Cadets are planning a new headquarters for their training courses with sleeping accommodation.”