Margate's historic Dreamland cinema and Scenic Railway could soon be restored to their former glory after the Government confirmed it was injecting £30,000 into the town.

It is one of only 12 seaside towns in England getting a cash boost as part of the Sea Change programme - which aims to reinvigorate the resorts' heritage and culture.

Thanet District Council is set to use the money to explore possibility of restoring the Grade II listed Dreamland cinema into an entertainment complex and creating the country's first heritage amusement park.

Cash could also be spent on repairing the Scenic Railway, which was badly damaged in an arson attack in April.

Barbara Follett, culture and tourism minister, said: "The plans put forward for Margate are a great example of how investing in our culture and heritage can regenerate our seaside communities."

This is the second wave of grants to be awarded in the first year of the £45million, three-year programme, which is being led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.