Blackpool is one of six towns to share the cash

Grants will be used to repair buildings, improve public areas and encourage new investment.

The six towns to get a slice of the �4.9m are Blackpool in Lancashire, Ramsgate in Kent, Penzance in Cornwall, Torquay in Devon, Ryde on the Isle of Wight, and Dovercourt in Essex.

More than �144m has already been ploughed in to seaside towns from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is also responsible for the latest cash injection.

Gordon Marsden, president of the British Resorts Association, said: "This is a very welcome response from the Heritage Lottery Fund to the issues I and others have raised about the link between regeneration and seaside revival."

'Social hardships'

Carole Souter, the fund's director, said: "Everyone loves the seaside, and resorts play an important role in the UK's tourist economy.

"They are also part of our collective heritage, providing many people with happy holiday memories.

"However, despite being popular destinations some of these towns are suffering from real economic and social hardships."

The proposed grant of just over �1m to Blackpool includes money for the repair and restoration of 66 historic buildings in the Talbot Square area of the town.

About �750,000 has been earmarked for Ramsgate's historic seafront, more than �1.2m is being invested in the commercial core of Penzance, and �600,000 will be used to improve run down areas of Torquay's waterfront.

Ryde has won �750,000 to carry out urgent repairs on buildings on the town's esplanade, while �460,000 for Dovercourt will focus on improving residential and commercial properties in its conservation area.