DORSET is set to cash in on up to £40 million of funding to promote its World Heritage Jurassic coastline.

Up £7.1 million will be invested in the Dorset and Devon economies from next month by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA).

A further £33 million is hoped to follow, including an application for £25 million of lottery cash which has been made.

Funding is aimed at boosting tourism by building or improving visitor centres in seven towns, launching education initiatives and improving access and tourism.

Work will be closely linked with regeneration schemes in Swanage, Weymouth, Portland, Lyme Regis, West Bay, Exmouth and Seaton.

RDA director of operations (south) Kay Homer said: "This five-year programme is a major opportunity for the South West of England that will bring long-term benefits to the area and to the region as a whole."

The project will take place over five years, led by the RDA and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Steering Group and supported by the Dorset and Devon County Councils and English Nature.

Steering group chairman Andrew Price said it was "thrilling news for communities spread across the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

"The RDA recognises the economic potential of the region - the crucial funding for visitor centres is invaluable."

The steering group includes representatives from local authorities, regional and national agencies and the private sector.

A 95-mile stretch of Purbeck, West Dorset and East Devon coastline was awarded World Heritage Site status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in December 2001 in Helsinki.

It is the only place on Earth where 185 million years of the Earth's history are sequentially exposed in dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, coastal stacks and barrier beaches.

The 'tilt' of the rocks creates a unique "walk through time" from 250 million to 65 million years ago, through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods as you walk eastwards along the coast.

World Heritage Site status accords it the same status accorded to the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon.

There are 12 other World Heritage Sites in Britain including Westminster Abbey, Hadrian's Wall and Stonehenge.

First published: February 1, 2006