Weymouth is eyeing millions of pounds in government grants in a bid to step up regeneration of the town.

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council leader Jeff Cant and South Dorset MP Richard Drax met minister Jake Berry on Wednesday to make the case for a grant.

The grant would come from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)'s Coastal Communities fund, which aims 'to lead to regeneration and economic growth while directly or indirectly safeguarding and creating sustainable jobs' in seaside towns in need of a boost.

The fifth Coastal Communities funding round opened in February, and will grant a total of £40 million for spending between April next year and March 2021.

Cllr Cant told the Echo he was hoping to secure between £1 million and £2 million from the fund to continue the work done on regeneration of the harbourside area of Weymouth, and to improve infrastructure; Cllr Cant cited the suggested Western Relief Road between Wyke Regis and Chickerell as one potential use of the money, as well as improvement of Portland Beach Road.

He expressed hope that such funding would help secure a bright future for Weymouth and Portland.

"The efforts we've been making over the last two to three years have produced a clear vision for a very different borough," he said. "We're bringing it into the future and ensuring a bright path ahead."

Cllr Cant added that Wednesday's meeting with Mr Berry, parliamentary under-secretary of state at MHCLG, would help to ensure the council received the grant it was looking for.

"We've been working on regeneration for several years, but the difference is that central government ministers are now working with us to ensure the borough's future," he said.

"When the unitary authority comes in in 2019, we can hand over a borough well-set for the future."

Senior civil servants are due to visit the town in the early summer to assess the council's case for a funding package; they will report to Mr Berry, who will himself then visit the town.

MP Mr Drax said: “Mr Berry could not have been more accommodating, or supportive, as we explained the need for government money to improve infrastructure, thereby allowing us to invest further in the town.

"He quite understood why we needed a financial shot in the arm in order to build on other projects. Raising money to repair the harbour and marina walls and to improve sea defences is a vital objective.

"Mr Berry revealed that the government is planning to launch a new initiative aimed at promoting and supporting towns like ours. Government departments, working together, will liaise with town teams who will work together to decided what our area needs for the longer term. It’s called joined-up thinking. Miracles do happen!”

Cllr Cant meanwhile added that alongside the Coastal Communities grant, he was hopeful of securing funding from the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment (Defra) for projects such as improving the town's flood defences.