Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced a £405,000 funding package to tackle dereliction in Portrush and Portstewart.

The money will be given to Coleraine Borough Council to demolish buildings, repair, secure and paint buildings and landscape a number of gap sites to create urban parks. Work will begin this week.

The actual work will commence with the demolition of the Metropole Hotel Portrush, which has become an eyesore. Further work will include an urban park at Dunluce Avenue and Kerr Street, the repair of the front of buildings in Landsdowne Crescent and the demolition of the Strand Hotel in Portstewart.

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This is part of a longer term ambition the Minister has for the North Coast and other Council areas.

Mr Attwood said: "This significant investment in Portrush and Portstewart is money well spent and is very much Government in action. Tourism makes a significant contribution to the local economy. On top of that the Irish Open comes to town at the end of June and the International North West 200 road race in May. If we want tourists to stay longer, if we want more tourists to come, then tackling major eyesores and dereliction will certainly do that. While this is timely in relation to the Irish Open I am doing this to benefit tourist numbers in the long term. Most of the visitors to the North Coast are from N I and we need to enhance their experience when they visit.

"Crucially, this investment is also being done for the people of the area. They will have the character of their built environment improved. These sites are scars on the beautiful causeway coast, in towns with a great history, great popularity and a great future."

(CD)