A new stage is to be built on Herne Bay pier after the landmark received almost £50,000 to help boost its regeneration.

The money, which will be used to build the permanent stage covered by a canopy, has come from the government’s coastal revival fund.

Work is expected to start on the attraction in November, before opening for next year’s spring season.

Town councillor Andrew Cook (Con) said: “To get the best part of £50,000 is absolutely incredible.

“The money is for the canopy and the stage – it is totally dedicated for that and can’t be used for anything else.

“We would not have been able to do this without the money; it is a major thing for us.”

"We would not have been able to do this without the money..." - Andrew Cook

Members of the Herne Bay Pier Trust applied for the £48,500 grant last year.

The stage will be used for live music and theatre groups.

Coastal communities minister Mark Francois said: “Across our Great British coast we’ve got heritage hooks to be proud of, but some of these places need some tender loving care.

“That’s why over the past year we’ve invested £3.7million to get them back into ship-shape and now Herne Bay pier and 14 more brilliant British attractions will be buoyed up by work to restore them to their former glory.

“This country has sight-seeing gems that are a match for anywhere in the world and I’d urge people to take a trip down to the seaside to discover them.”