SWANAGE Pier Trust is poised to lodge an official bid for a slice of the government's latest £3million Coastal Revival Fund.

Pier manager Ben Adeney, speaking ahead of Monday's funding bid deadline, told the Daily Echo: "We are in the process of submitting the bid. We will definitely be putting in a bid before the deadline, we are thrashing out the details right now."

Earlier this year the Daily Echo reported that the National Piers Society had singled out Swanage's Victorian Grade II-listed pier as one of the structures that could benefit directly from Whitehall's Coastal Revival Fund.

Mr Adeney explained: "The money we are bidding for now will go towards underpinning the pier's maintenance and future sustainability."

The Swanage Pier Trust was formed in 1994 with the aim of restoring and maintaining the pier.

In 2013 a structural pile was swept out to sea during a severe storm, which left Swanage Pier facing a £50,000 repair bill.

Subsequently, the trust launched a public fundraising appeal that was widely supported locally.

Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois said: "From historic piers, seafronts to lidos our coastal towns are awash with striking icons which we want to celebrate but many have fallen into neglect and disuse over time.

"I urge communities to bid for this £3m Coastal Revival funding ahead of the deadline so they can kick-start restoration work and drive further investments so these icons can be restored to their full potential.

"This government is committed to reviving our seaside towns and our multimillion pound Coastal Communities Fund is having a big impact on seaside economies. At least £90 million more will be spent in the coming years."

The Coastal Revival Fund is part of the wider Coastal Communities Fund, which government has confirmed will continue for the next five years.