FUNDING to create more than 200 jobs on the Yorkshire coast has been secured as business projects in the region win a £3.7 million cash injection.

The Government funding has been allocated by the Coastal Communities Fund after it received bids from North York Moors National Park, Scarborough Borough Council and East Riding Council to help improve businesses in the community and create new jobs.

Receiving a share of the Fund's £36 million pot, Scarborough will get £2.7 million to refurbish the town's market hall, creating space for 30 new businesses alongside a new "virtual market" to promote local producers and suppliers, in a move set to create an estimated 80 jobs.

Scarborough Cllr Derek Bastiman, portfolio holder for regeneration and planning, said: "Scarborough Borough Council is delighted with this decision.

"The market already plays a key role in Scarborough's "old town" providing jobs and services.

"Through significant investment we aim to create a 21st Century Market Place promoting the artisan movement and the best of local produce, creating new businesses and employment opportunities and developing a market apprenticeship scheme for local people.

"We will also be promoting healthy living and enterprise in partnership with the local school."

A total of £455,000 has also been award to the North York Moors National Park Authority's Sea Life, See Life project to showcase the natural, fishing, artistic and culinary heritage of villages such as Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes and Runswick Bay to attract more visitors.

The project will support at least 100 businesses and create 80 indirect jobs along the coastline between Saltburn and Cloughton.

Although led by the National Park Authority, ‘Sea Life, See Life’ will be a partnership project with local businesses and communities, focussing on small-scale infrastructure projects, a strong public relations and social-media led campaign, and workshops and skills training.

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: "This is fantastic news for our coastal villages, such as Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay and, of course, wonderful Whitby.

"We’re really looking forward to working with businesses along the coast on some great local projects to boost the tourism industry and showcase the area’s special natural and cultural heritage.”

Elsewhere East Riding will get in excess of £467,000 to provide business advice and support to five villages on the coast to boost tourism and to enhance flood defences, creating or supporting 24 jobs.

The council’s project, Coastal Opportunities Gateway, will promote sustainable economic growth and resilience to environmental change within a number of rural coastal villages.

Cllr Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "The council is really pleased to have secured this funding, which will help businesses in rural, coastal locations to seize upon local opportunities for growth and expansion and to become more resilient to environmental pressures, including erosion and climate change."