Dorset coast nature reserves share £650,000 funding
Nature reserves in Dorset have been awarded £650,000 by the Coastal Communities Fund.
The RSPB, which bid for the money, will use it to create a new visitor centre at the Arne reserve in Wareham and employ an additional nine staff.
Reserves in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch will be upgraded, with outdoor facilities at Radipole Lake, Weymouth, also being developed.
More than 50 UK projects have been awarded a share of £27.7m funding.
The RSPB's Sarah Webb said: "It's great to see Dorset's wildlife assets recognised for their potential to boost the year-round economy and create jobs."
The Coastal Communities Fund was created to direct regeneration investment to seaside towns and villages.
It aims to rebalance their local economies, reduce unemployment and create new work opportunities for young people from the local area.