Blackpool council has been given £4 million of government money to help with the creation of the Tower Festival Headland.

The announcement was made by the department of culture, media and sport late last week. The funding has been made available through its Sea Change programme

Tower Festival Headland, near Blackpool Tower, will provide a new outdoor performance and events space that is capable of accommodating up to 20,000 people.

According to the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), this is part of a wider scheme to turn central Blackpool into a popular urban park offering dance, theatre and comedy.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said the investment is "great news" for Blackpool and the northwest.

He added: "The resort has some exciting plans that will make the most of this culture-led approach to regeneration, playing on its expanding events programme and a growing reputation for dance."

The seaside resort's renaissance depends largely on major investment. In fact, ReBlackpool hopes to plough £78 million into the building of a new promenade, sea walls and headlands.