Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given a big boost towards helping find the funding towards a beach management plan to protect Sidmouth's cliffs from collapsing.

Speaking on a visit to East Devon on Thursday afternoon, he said: "We will help you," when asked about the funding shortfall for the Beach Management Plan.

The preferred beach management scheme consists of adding a new rock groyne on East Beach, importing new shingle onto Sidmouth Beach, and East Beach, and raising the existing splash wall along the rear of the promenade.

The scheme aims to maintain the 1990's Sidmouth Coastal Defence Scheme Standard of Service and reduce the rate of beach and cliff erosion to the east of the River Sid. The plans would not stop cliff falls but would reduce the erosion from the toe of the cliffs, which would reduce the erosion rates.

Costs for construction of the scheme are estimated at £8.9million, with around £1.5 million still needed to be found.

A deadline of August 2020 has been agreed to source the outstanding finance, as after which time, an alternative plan, involving only the town frontage, would be worked up and submitted for funding approval.

Mr Johnson said that a Conservative Government would be putting £4billion into better flood defences in this country, and when asked if the funding would extend to projects such as Sidmouth's beach management plan, he said: "We will help you and if it comes under flood defences, then it qualifies."

The Prime Minister was speaking at Darts Farm where he met staff and pledged his support for Simon Jupp, the Conservative candidate for East Devon.

The preferred plan for Sidmouth would involve beach replenishment, periodic beach recycling, a new rock groyne on East Beach, raising the height of the splash wall, and repairs to the river Sid training wall.

Design details of the raised splash wall will be the subject of further work involving the Sidmouth Beach Management Scheme Steering Group and future consultations and it is currently anticipated that this wall will need to be at one metre above the promenade to contain wave overtopping.

The draft outline business case has already been prepared, but needs full funding information before it can be submitted, and a deadline of August 2020 was agreed by the Steering Group in which to source the outstanding finance, after which time an alternative plan, involving only the town frontage, would be worked up and submitted for funding approval.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council's representative on the Steering Group and Cabinet member for Highways Management, had previously called for the whole town to unite and support the preferred Beach Management Scheme as Sidmouth 'is in the last chance saloon' to get the preferred scheme.

Councillor Hughes said: "We're in the last chance saloon. Time is of an essence and all residents can get involved in helping design the raised splashwall element of the scheme which is needed to protect the highway asset and prevent the town and businesses from tidal flooding."