A MAJOR funding boost has been announced to bring back a derelict eyesore in a North Yorkshire tourist resort back to life.

The South Bay Pool area of Scarborough is to benefit from £900,000 in grants, which will give the local authority the chance to demolish derelict buildings and fill in the pool.

Scarborough Borough Council is also planning to apply for funding to create an environmental and tourist attraction on the site.

The authority will spend £200,000 on the project, which will pay for work to terrace slopes.

Funding has been awarded by the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, and the council is confident it will provide further grants to create a new attraction on the site.

Plans include creating a grand staircase and water cascade, a plaza, play and seating area, sculptures and fountains.

It estimates the total cost of work will be £1.7m. Council leader Eileen Bosomworth said: "What better way for Scarborough to make progress on our urban renaissance programme than to take something that is a derelict relic from the past and turn it into something significant?"