Alliance Coleraine Councillor Barney Fitzpatrick has welcomed the £405,000 funding from the Department of the Environment to deal with derelict buildings in Portstewart and Portrush.

Funding will be given to Coleraine Borough Council to carry out the work that is aimed to be completed before the Irish Open golf tournament at the end of June.

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Cllr Barney Fitzpatrick said: "This is great news that the Department of the Environment will be providing this money. There are a number of derelict buildings that are providing a real eyesore for one of the most picturesque areas of Northern Ireland.

"With the Irish Open golf tournament coming up in a couple of months this money will ensure that tourists get the best impression of Portstewart and Portrush.

"Most of these derelict properties are a result of the economic downturn, but the council needs more powers to deal with developments that have been abandoned if it is hard to determine ownership."

(CD/GK)