THE work of North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast is to benefit from funding of £22,500.

Yorventure's grant will enable countryside projects officer Liz Kelly to coordinate more than 12 conservation and environmental improvement projects along the coastline between Saltburn and Scarborough.

One of her key responsibilities will be to create partnerships with communities and schools and involve them directly in projects aimed at protecting and enhancing their local environment.

The first community efforts got under way at the weekend with beach clean-ups at Staithes and Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire, a part of the Marine Conservation Society's Adopt a Beach initiative.

Volunteers cleared litter from the beaches and surveyed the item of debris that were found.

The results of the survey will be used by the society in its efforts to make people more aware of marine debris issues.

Ms Kelly said: "This support from Yorventure is crucial to our work in local communities and schools.

"The North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast boasts some of the most spectacular scenery, and a diverse range of natural habitats and wildlife.

"However, we can only preserve the unique character of the coastline with a massive combined effort from conservation groups like ourselves and the people who live and work here."