A project to help restore the 100 miles of Sussex coastline has been awarded £100,000.

Sussex Bay, the organisation in charge of the project, has plans to improve the marine ecosystem from Selsey Bill to Camber Sands.

Initiated by Adur and Worthing Councils, it involves collaboration with more than 200 groups including charities, residents and businesses.

Funding from Rewilding Britain, awarded as part of its annual Rewilding Challenge Fund, will enable Sussex Bay to move forward with its ambitious plans which could see kelp, oyster beds and salt marsh reintroduced along the sea bed.

Paul Brewer, founder and director of Sussex Bay, said: ​“We are absolutely delighted to reach this milestone, which was only possible with the support and encouragement from so many people across the region and further afield.

"There is so much incredible passion, commitment and practical effort across Sussex Bay and we aim to help grow that further. Our seascapes deserve radical collaboration and action at a large scale, ensuring no one is left behind. Thank you Rewilding Britain for your support.”

Jacques Villemot, marine rewilding co-ordinator for Rewilding Britain, said: ​“The amazing habitats found in our oceans and coastlines – like kelp, oyster beds and saltmarsh – offer a myriad of benefits for wildlife, nature and people. They act as natural carbon stores, support diverse ecosystems of wildlife, improve water quality, act as a buffer to help protect coastlines from storm surges and provide invaluable resources and livelihoods to local communities.

“But, sadly, the majority of these habitats are heavily degraded or lost, 96 per cent of the once extensive kelp beds in West Sussex have been lost since the 1980s.”

Funding awarded by Rewilding Britain will support Sussex Bay which will be able to hire a science lead for its Blue Natural Capital Lab project, along with contributing towards several pilot projects.

Sussex Bay will be officially launching at an event in Brighton in June. The organisation will join a panel discussion at TedxBrighton, on April 5.