THE leaders of one of the region's councils has called upon the local MP for support as it seeks extra funding towards a £33.6m project.

An extra £7m from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is vital for the completion of coastal defence works.

Laurie Quinn, MP for Scarborough, North Yorkshire, had written to Elliott Morley, Minister for Fisheries, Water and Protection, to raise concerns about part of the defence scheme around the Castle Headland and East Pier.

However, in his reply, Mr Morley supported the inclusion of a wave return wall in the area.

The leader of Scarborough Borough Council, Councillor Eileen Bosomworth, said the council had to make the case to Defra for the additional funding.

She said: "We believe we have an excellent case and now that the Minister, Elliot Morley, has supported the council, we expect to have the full support of Mr Quinn in future on this issue.

"We are confident that the excellent support Defra has shown so far on this extremely important scheme will continue."