A MAJOR West Devon tourist attraction has received a vital shot-in-the-arm with a £600,000 package engineered by the borough and county councils. Morwellham Quay is seen as a key gateway to the newly designated West Devon and Cornwall World Heritage Site — it is also the centre of the multi-million pound Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project. The Victorian quay, once one of the most important industrial ports in the world, has huge potential to attract funding into the area, following the World Heritage designation. The borough and county councils are now hoping the investment in the port will ensure it reaches its potential for the good of residents and the economy of the area. The deal was reached following a meeting of the county council's executive on Tuesday night. A special meeting of the borough council was due to be held as the Times went to press. David Incoll, borough chief executive, said: 'Morwellham has an incredible history and the mining experience there has been recognised nationally as a unique selling point in showing how mining has changed over the years. 'Everybody accepts that the trustees at Morwellham have done an incredible job of managing the site, but the area really needs new investment and revamping in order to reach the sort of high quality World Heritage site centre people expect. 'We have been working with the county council to get that investment in to Morwellham.' Mr Incoll said Morwellham Quay was one of the biggest employers in the Tamar Valley. Ensuring its financial viability would not only safeguard jobs, but boost the economy of the valley through increased tourism and provide unique educational opportunities for residents and visitors. Its future success was also vital to the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project — around £6-million of previously agreed funding will open up previously inaccessible areas of the valley for a range of tracks and walkways and improvements to Tavistock Canal. Mr Incoll said the financial package being brokered between the county, the borough and the quay's bankers was a secured investment in the quay and its properties, which include a pub and farm. 'I can't think of any other development in Tavistock or its hinterland that has the potential for jobs and visitors and residents that Morwellham has — there are so many wins from this,' said Mr Incoll. 'We are doing this as a platform to build on. We will be able to attract more money into the area over the years, and invest in some existing structures which haven't been touched for more than 100 years.' A spokesman for Devon County Council said: 'Morwellham Quay is strategically extremely important to the West Devon area and its future prosperity. 'The county is delighted to be working with West Devon Borough Council and the quay to ensure future opportunities can be maximised for the benefit of all concerned.' Anthony Power, museum director at Morwellham Quay, said: 'Obviously, we are absolutely delighted about this. We are looking on it as an investment in what's already been taking place over the last 35 years in a hugely valuable visitor centre and museum within the region. 'It's also very much a pointer to the future, and shows other people's appreciation of Morwellham's importance within the World Heritage Site. It gives us the chance to move forward to create a really world class site. 'It's fantastic and with the work already being done as part of the mining heritage project, it's a really good start to the New Year.'