The grant will help fund a visitor centre by the Broads

The funding from the Broads Authority is set to bring benefits to visitors and local residents - and includes funding for a new visitor centre and a solar-powered waterbus.

The grants include �50,000 for a new green visitor and education centre at Whitlingham Country Park near Norwich.

The firm City Boats will get �20,000 towards a solar powered river bus to ferry tourists between the park and the city.

The Broads Society has received a total of �10,000 for conservation work along the Waveney at Burgh Marshes and North Cove and along Fleet Dyke near South Walsham.

Norfolk Broads cruisers on the River Bure

A �13,000 grant will pay for improvements to the riverside at Beccles.

While two boating projects to encourage the elderly and disabled onto the Broads will get almost �30,000 and a boardwalk at Filby has also been approved which will improve access to the Broads.

It has also been agreed in principle that �20,000 should be allocated to a new electric boat that the Nancy Oldfield Trust will use for its year-round boating activities for disadvantaged and disabled people.

Although the bulk of the 2003/04 Fund, has now been allocated the Broads Authority does still have �7,000 available in the form of small grants (up to �1,000).

Small grants for Broads projects can still be applied for

These grants would be available for small scale projects undertaken by schools, parish councils and other community groups.