Council chiefs have signed off the next stage of the Sea Change programme – which proposes a raft of improvements including a refurbishment of Fleetwood's Marine Hall and a "mythical trail" stretching along Cleveleys seafront.

And Wyre Council has also revealed the extent of a massive cash donation handed to the project by the millionaire owners of the Fisherman's Friend company.

The council needed to find match-funding for a £835,000 grant. Thanks to the generosity of Doreen and Tony Lofthouse, council chiefs have stated funding was "no longer an issue".

Although the final amount was not revealed it has been hinted the donation was in excess of the £835,000 needed.

The project will see a public art project – labelled a narrative art project – built on Cleveleys' new £20m Promenade.

An artistically designed bird hide is planned for Rossall Point.

The plans will soon be opened to public consultation. Council bosses had planned to use reserve funds and money from LABGI (Local Authority Business Growth Incentives) to match the initial £835,000 grant from the CABE Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

Coun Peter Hawley, the council's living economy portfolio holder, told councillors: "We've had a very generous offer from some very kind residents and that has taken the (funding) problem away."

The majority of the Sea Change cash will be pumped into a £2m revamp of the Marine Hall.

Proposals also include the creation of a huge 'wing' sculpture at Rossall Point, an education zone at the Marine Gardens and a skateboarding park.

Under the plan, every child in the borough will be given a copy of a book about local mythology – and families could walk along the newly created 'mythic coast' trail.

Refurbish

The Lofthouses have donated £1.6m to Fleetwood's hospital as well as cash to help refurbish Esplanade pavements, fund a People's Park on North Albert Street, create the Lofthouse community building on Dock Street and launch the Fleetwood Club for Young People there. The Lofthouse family also placed the Eros statue at the entrance to the town.

Mr Lofthouse said the donation was a sign of Fisherman's Friend's "continuing commitment" to Fleetwood.