£5m coastal scheme gets the green light thanks to lottery cash

in South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool.

It has taken three-and-ahalf years of detailed planning and preparation to arrive at this point, and is currently planned to begin later this year.

SeaScapes will offer opportunities for visitors from the local area and further afield to explore the heritage hidden beneath the waves, take part in ‘snorkel safaris’ and allow them to enjoy being on and in the sea – all against the backdrop of dramatic cliff-top views and a rich shoreline that is home to a breeding colony of Little Terns, one of Britain’s rarest sea birds.

It will also seek to strengthen understanding of the sea and our relationships with it, encouraging people to get involved with a beach care programme to address the ever-increasing marine litter problem.

Heritage Coast officer Niall Benson, who led the bid on behalf of the SeaScapes partnership, said: “This funding is fantastic news for everyone living on and visiting this very special stretch of coastline.

“Thanks in part to television programmes like Blue Planet, there’s an unprecedented public interest in our seas and in marine conservation. So much of our natural, industrial, cultural and maritime heritage lies outof-sight beneath the waves and through SeaScapes, we’re looking forward to giving it more attention.

“The heritage of the Tyne to Tees seascape is locally and nationally significant and deserves to be better explored and celebrated. SeaScapes will do just that.

“The project is the result of a huge team effort and a lot of planning and we can’t wait to get started.”

Led by the Heritage Coast Partnership, the initiative has been supported by a range of organisations such as councils and universities.