A SEASIDE town’s heritage is to be enhanced with a £2.25 million regeneration project.

Durham County Council has secured a £1.6 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the three-year Seaham Townscape Heritage Project.

The focus of the regeneration is historic properties in the Church Street area of the town.

Grants will be offered to property owners or occupiers for works to repair and reinstate traditional features and to provide access to currently inaccessible vacant upper floor spaces.

Efforts will also focus on enhancing the town’s architecture, bringing vacant empty properties back into use and developing and sustaining business confidence in the area.

Commercial property owners, tenants, community representatives and other interested parties recently attended the project’s official launch.

Councillor Kevin Shaw, the council’s member for strategic housing and assets, said: “This project represents a significant investment in Seaham and has the potential to enhance the overall look and attractiveness of the town’s high street.

“The tremendous support the community has shown for the project working alongside our dedicated officers has been invaluable and I know residents are looking forward to seeing the work begin.”

The event provided an opportunity for people to find out more about the project and how they can get involved, including how property owners and tenants can apply for a building improvement grant.

Further information was also revealed about public spaces that will be upgraded and decluttered to enhance their appearance and make them more accessible.

David Renwick, director for England: North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “In a year where we have heard that seaside towns across England have been neglected, we are delighted that National Lottery funding will look to buck that trend by investing in the Seaham Townscape Heritage Project.”