A PROJECT to celebrate Minehead's maritime history has become one of the first in the UK to receive funding from a new scheme set up by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Minehead Development Trust has been awarded £9,900 from the Sharing Heritage funding pot, a grant scheme which supports not-for-profit groups which want to explore their community heritage.

The development trust has teamed up with Halsway Manor and the Storywell organisation to spearhead the Minehead Harbour Maritime Heritage Project.

The aim is to help local people to rediscover and celebrate the history and culture of Minehead's maritime legacy.

It will culminate in the commission of seven plaques which will be mounted on the harbour wall and tell the story of the town's maritime heritage.

The plaques are due to be unveiled at the 2014 harbour festival in July.

The project forms part of the Minehead Vision Action Plan to celebrate the town's maritime legacy and raise the status of Minehead's Quay Town as a cultural tourist destination.

Halsway Manor Centre for Folk Arts and Storywell will be working with schools, community groups and individuals to research and share the stories of the harbour and the songs of the sea.

Stephen Hooper, Minehead's vision manager, said: "It's great that we have been awarded this grant and we can't wait to get started.

"Minehead as a port has a rich trading and military history. It is a primary reason for Minehead's existence."

Anyone who has tales relating to the harbour or who would like to help with the historical research can contact Alex Simson of Storywell on 07980 197737.

Meanwhile, a series of sea shanty and song workshops will be held at the Old Ship Aground to celebrate Minehead's maritime links, with the first two taking place on February 27 and March 2, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

Nerys Watts, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: "Sharing Heritage is a wonderful opportunity for communities to delve into their local heritage and we are delighted to be able to offer this grant so that Minehead can embark on a real journey of discovery.

"Heritage means such different things to different people and the funding offers a wealth of opportunities for groups to explore and celebrate what's important to them in their area."