A harbour in Suffolk is set to benefit from more than £15,000 of government funding.

Southwold harbour is to receive a share of £1.7million of government funding, announced today by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, which will benefit 21 small ports across England.

The Small Ports Fund will be used to help repair small ports and harbours across England damaged by winter storms, in addition to £200 million already provided by the government to help fix roads, railways and coastal communities hit by the severe winter weather. The harbour will recieve £15,717 of the funding from Mr McLoughlin.

This money will repair the flooding and eash damage to the fishing stage, the harbour office and Walberswick Quay.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Our small ports are vital to the livelihoods of the communities they serve and are the lifeblood of the local economy.

“The government has already provided significant funding to reverse the damage caused by an exceptionally wet and windy winter. I want to see this additional money help the recovery in these coastal towns.”

Southwold town mayor Ann Betts said: “Any amount of money we can get is very welcome.

“You can never have enough because when you finish one job, you blink and there’s something else to be done.”