Tourism along the Solway coast could be in for a major boost, with Silloth clearing the first hurdle in its bid to land £1.8m of funding.

A group of the area's leaders formed a team earlier this year hoping to tap into the Government's Coastal Communities Fund (CCF).

They've just found out their bid has made it past stage one - and now have an opportunity to tweak their case ready for the second stage.

A separate bid from Maryport did not make it through stage one, as did two efforts from communities in Copeland.

The CCF encourages the economic development of UK coastal communities by giving funding to create growth and jobs

If successful the Silloth bid team will look to transform tourism in the area and one of the ways they hope to achieve that is extending the coastal cycle route.

It currently runs from Maryport to Allonby but some of the cash will be used to extend it to Silloth.

Dr Brian Irving, chairman of the Silloth-on-Solway Coastal Communities Team, said: "It's already been a big success and this would add a further eight miles.

"It would keep traffic off the coast road which means it could be used more by families and children."

The cycleway extension is a key element of a four-part plan.

Just after the millenium, leaders launched a marketing campaign to brand the area as England's Solway Coast, hoping to install signs pointing people to the patch.

But when funding dried up they abandoned the scheme and signs were only able to be put up in the immediate area.

However, if the CCF comes through they'll be resurrecting the scheme and putting up signs between the M6 and Silloth.

The team will also be looking to:

* Pump money into improving the coast's car park network and upgrade them to a higher standard;

* Having a funding pot to market the Solway Coast and Silloth area;

* Launch an eco-tourism project, showcasing the area's natural beauty. It is hoped the coastline can become a hot spot for birdwatchers and mammal enthusiasts.

"It's great news we've got to the next stage," Dr Irving, who is also the manager of the Solway Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) partnership, added.

"It should open it up to more visitors and everything will be done in a sustainable way.

"The maintenance will be carried out by various organisations such as the councils.

"All the activities will be improving the tourism offer and will be presented in an eco-friendly way.

"At the end of the day we're looking for growth, creating jobs and keeping people in the area.

"If tourism gets a boost it's more beds and rooms sold, more cups of tea sold in our cafes, it's all for the common good.

"Plus it's a great way to spend lottery money."

Bill Jefferson, who represents Silloth on Allerdale Council and also holds the authority's brief for tourism, has worked alongside Dr Irving to support the bid.

"We in this area have a reputation now through the success of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Silloth Green project and others. Our record really stands up," he told The Cumberland News .

"What we have gone for is a very sensible proposal and guarantee of delivery.

"We've not got to work up individual things. It's tremendous for the area."

The Silloth team must have their second stage bid submitted by December 5.

A final decision is expected from the Government in the spring.