Squads to kick-start growth and create jobs in four Suffolk and Essex towns are to be set up with thousands of pounds from the Government.

Ipswich, Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Jaywick are part of a nationwide 12-town pilot to join up economy boosting efforts across areas.

The money will be used to bring existing teams together to ensure local people, councils and businesses are working together.

Coastal communities minister Penny Mordaunt: said: “These coastal teams will be crucial in driving forward ideas, harnessing local expertise and tapping into new business opportunities which will benefit the entire community.

“This includes taking advantage of our new heritage revival fund to boost neglected coastal assets and attract private investment.”

Each town will be given £10,000 for the project, but will be able to bid for a share of the new £3million coastal revival fund, which could restore a local heritage site or facilities which benefit the wider community. Among the projects the Government claims the teams will work on are developing heritage assets, promoting Ipswich as East Anglia’s premier waterfront destination, community-led regeneration and the development of the East of England Park in Lowestoft as a heritage and cultural asset for the town, which is the UK’s most easterly point.

Greater Ipswich Partnership chairman, and Ipswich Central board member Richard Lister, said: “I am delighted that Ipswich has been granted this opportunity, not only in receiving a grant of £10,000, but the opportunity to bid for a share of a £3m pot to enhance our county town.”

Chief executive of Ipswich Central, Paul Clement added: “This is further recognition that ‘Ipswich means business’.

“I’m proud that Ipswich Central has been granted this award.We will be making the funds received from government available to the Greater Ipswich Partnership in order that it may build upon our vision for the town centre. This will include neighbouring boroughs who benefit from a stronger county town.”

Welcoming the announcement, Waveney’s cabinet member for economic development, Bruce Provan, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding to help support an important scheme to revitalise this part of Lowestoft. We submitted a bid because we are fully committed to delivering this project and this is great news for the town.”