COMMUNITY leaders have agreed to spend nearly �25,000 a year to ensure two of Felixstowe’s main seafront attractions are not lost.

Town councillors have formally agreed to dip into the resort’s new Community Fund for the first time after being told by Suffolk Coastal council that it was not prepared to continue to pay for tourist facilities it has funded for nearly 40 years.

The district authority is under severe pressure to find savings and not raise its precept and is analysing every aspect of the services it provides for taxpayers.

Councillors have warned that only the essentials are guaranteed to survive and that other ways will have to be found to pay for some amenities facing the axe as government continues to keep a tight rein on the amount of grants given to councils.

Felixstowe Town Council agreed recommendations to spend more than �10,000 a year towards planting in some of the seafront gardens, and up to �14,600 for the decorative seafront lighting.

The new Community Fund will pay for the services, with the town council having raised its tax precept to create the fund.

The town council will pay for planting in gardens alongside the prom and planters at the Town Hall.

It was decided not to pay for the leisure centre bed as this area is set for major changes or the Spa Pavilion approach road gardens, as these ought to be part of the lottery-backed scheme set to take place in 2013, or the chalet area as these gardens were marked as private.

Councillors felt it was important for the town to look attractive for visitors and residents.

Suffolk Coastal has not yet handed over the seafront lights but is known to be actively considering pulling the plug on these and the town council felt it was best to be prepared.