Fishing communities in line for up to £700,000 from EU

The area was one of six in the country to net a share of a 4.6m euro European Union fund destined for education, training and innovative tourism-related projects.

Ray Williamson, from East Riding Council, who leads the Holderness Coast group, said it was partly about raising awareness of what is one of Europe's largest lobster fisheries. He said: "It's not a vast amount of money, but nevertheless it could be significant in terms of helping individual businesses, community organisations or other agencies. The projects are going to be probably related to tourism. Most of the fishing ports do have tourism as part of their make up. There's one fisherman who'd like to fish for lobster, come back and cook it on board.

"That's just one specific example, but we'd hope once the money becomes available we will set up a grant scheme that people will be able to bid into."

The Holderness Coast area spans 40 miles from Flamborough Head in the north to Spurn Head in the south. Last year 2,200 tonnes of fish worth over 5m was landed at ports in the area.

Mr Williamson said: "We will be looking for ideas for potential projects over the next two or three months, and should have the money by next spring."