Among the initial ideas being considered are to spend the money on intensive street cleaning, additional beach and greensward cleaning, removing dog foul and putting in extra litter bins.

However, stakeholders such as Harwich Town Council and the Harwich Preservation Society will be consulted over the best way forward.

The funding can also be used for community programmes, educational activity, promotion and enforcement.

The cash has been given to Tendring District Council (TDC) for the Harwich East Ward and is part of Essex County Council's Local Area Agreement activity.

The ward is one of four areas in the county being targeted in this way - the others being Harbour and Stanway in Colchester and Pitsea in Basildon - and they are all seen as important gateway areas in Essex.

Lawrie Payne, who represents the Harwich East ward on TDC, said it was an excellent and much-needed boost for the area.

"I welcome this injection of cash for an environmental clean-up of Harwich East," he said. "It is a ward that is in desperate need of help and support."

Cllr Payne said the money could be spent on a number of initiatives and it was important that the Council seeks the views and input of others in this important scheme.

"I am delighted that our ward has been recognised as a major entry point from the Continent and this boost will help further the Harwich Master Plan," he added.

The money is one-off funding and must be spent by March 2009.

Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at TDC, said one of the aims was to use the cash to supplement the existing scheduled cleaning services and provide up to 20 additional 'Harwich branded' litter bins.

"This should make a noticeable difference for the people in Harwich East," he added.

"The task now is to involve the various stakeholders to make sure we make the most effective use of this money having regard to such matters as the Harwich Master Plan."