THE Burnham Evolution Project Team has thanked MP James Heappey for lending his support to the project after they successfully secured a funding from the Hinkley Community Impact Mitigation.

The team met with Burnham-on-Sea MP James Heappey on Wednesday (November 29) and briefed Mr Heappey on how they would use the £350,000 to refurbish the Princess Theatre and Arts Centre and Burnham Esplanade and and asked for his support with future applications.

The funding will cover the complete refurbishment of the Princess Theatre and Arts Centre including new doors, windows, carpets, modern seating and new toilets and improvements along the town’s Esplanade including better shelters, signs, bins which are seagull-proof and a children’s play area.

Tatiana Cant, town clerk for Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, said: “We are very grateful to James for his support of our application to help us bring in the funding we need to make Burnham a better, brighter town which will be more attractive for residents as well as a much more exciting destination for visitors.

“Now we must build on this and lever in the extra funding we need so that we can deliver the rest of the project.”

The news comes just weeks after the Burnham Evolution Project Team announced their bids for £1.1m of funding to the Coastal Communities Fund and £50,000 of funding to the Coastal Revival Fund had been unsuccessful.

The project has also received funding from Sedgemoor District Council to pay for a trim trail to be installed along part of The Esplanade.

The project team will next meet in January with the new town clerk, Sam Winter, to discuss the best way to ahead and explore funding opportunities.

The Weekly News has contacted Mr Heappey for a comment.