THE Yorkshire Coast's struggling fishing industry is to get a cash boost.

A new Government initiative will see some £350,000 being allocated to Whitby, Scarborough and Filey through a new fund set up to aid the regeneration of fishing towns.

John Trebble, Scarborough Borough Council's chief executive, said a package of potential schemes was on the drawing board including providing moorings in Scarborough's inner harbour, improvements to the West Pier and Filey's Coble Landing.

In addition, marketing and promotion projects are planned together with feasibility studies for a hydrological study of Whitby harbour and diversification of the fishing industry.

Promoting the cargo trade at Whitby harbour and the setting up of a training centre for would-be young fishermen.

The news comes as Scarborough fishermen have given a cool reception to the Government's new decommissioning scheme for fishing boats.

Fred Normandale, chairman of Scarborough Inshore Fishermen's Society and a leading skipper, said: "The amount of cash on offer won't even scratch the surface".

He added that fisheries minister Elliot Morley had announced a package which included £6m for action to reconstruct the industry while the Scottish Parliament was offering £25m.

Most of the Scarborough boats were carrying debts, said Mr Normandale. "The decommissioning cash will probably clear the debts and other bills and then the people concerned will have to find other work" said Mr Normandale. "No-one with a boat of any worth will apply for decommissioning. If there is much more money available they might be tempted".