THE Jurassic Coast has been awarded Government funding worth �376,500 to help tackle the effects of climate change including rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

THE Jurassic Coast has been awarded Government funding worth �376,500 to help tackle the effects of climate change including rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

Devon County Council, Dorset County Council and a range of other partners under the banner of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, is one of 15 areas to get the funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) Coastal Change Pathfinder Fund.

The money will be used to support a range of activities aimed at helping coastal communities along the Jurassic Coast to better understand and adapt to the impacts of coastal change.

It is hoped that this will start as soon as possible in order to meet the requirement of completing the outlined work by spring 2011.

The funding will help projects including a major climate conference in 2011 to spread best practice and promote communication between communities.

Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said:

"This successful Pathfinder bid is an excellent opportunity for the two county councils and their partners to work together to look at this common issue across the full length of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

"The challenge is how our communities...will respond to the threat of coastal change, yet remain vibrant and thriving communities. I look forward to the outcomes of this work."

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