A SERIES of iconic coastal heritage sites across Cornwall have been awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds to help preserve them for generations to come.

Today the government announced £3million has been allocated to sites across the country to help secure the future of key seaside attractions.

In total seven projects in the duchy will benefit from more than £270,000.

In St Ives £48,900 has been allocated towards the cost of regeneration a seating area located on the edge of Smeaton's Pier.

St Blazey Roundhouse and Turntable, which is one of the last intact buildings of the Steam Age in Cornwall, has been allocated £50,000.

St Austell Market House has been given £49,000 for regeneration works.

A further £50,000 has been assigned to Hayle Harbour to reintroduce sluicing to remove silt and sand build up.

Portwrinkle Harbour has received £5,850 towards maintenance works and installing a 15 berth dinghy rack, 6 berth kayak rack and beach winch.

Royal Cornwall Falmouth Polytechnic Society Building has been awarded £20,000 to modernise the building and install disabled access and sound insulation.

And the Passport to Porthcurno trail project is due to receive £50,000 to support a landscape and infrastructure plan for Porthcurno valley.

Communities minister Brandon Lewis said: "From Berwick to St Ives, our coastal communities boast some iconic attractions, with millions visiting them each year.

"But some of our best-loved buildings are falling into a state of disrepair - the £3million Coastal Revival Fund aims to restore them to their former glory.

"This funding will now kick-start the restoration work for these 77 projects across the country, so they can continue to be enjoyed by local people and tourists alike for generations to come."

Since 2012, more than £120 million has been invested in coastal towns through the Coastal Communities Fund, which is helping local people regenerate cherished seaside areas.