Four tourism schemes designed to improve the visitor experience of Wales' coastline are in line to receive a share of a £17.5m from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Three new visitor centres will be created in Aberdaron, Gwynedd; Pembrokeshire and Swansea Bay as part of the investment plans, while a number of beaches will benefit from improvements.

Developed as part of the assembly government's Coastal Tourism programme, the schemes will be backed using £8.4m through the European Regional Development Fund. Private and public sector partners will provide the remaining funding.

The £4.2m Pembrokeshire Coastal Waters Centre development is set to boost the experience of those looking to explore the county's coastline from the water, including new landing stages.

Swansea Bay water sports centre, a £4.2m project supported with nearly £2.2m European funding, will offer a range of water-based activities using the area's natural facilities.

Aberdaron coastal visitor centre will receive more than £1.5m from the European Union towards the project's £3.4m total cost, which will offer a hub for visitors to the Llyn Peninsula and Snowdonia.

Meanwhile, £1.3m European funding will go towards the £2.75m Green Sea Programme to improve beach facilities across Wales.

Welsh heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones said: "The three centres will provide top class facilities to improve the visitor experience of Wales' outstanding coast and help showcase what Wales has to offer to visitors."

However, the Welsh Assembly Government's funding announcement has come under attack from opposition parties as "blatant electioneering" in the run up to the General Election on 6 May.

Welsh Liberal Democrats' shadow heritage minister, Eleanor Burnham, said: "Why have they waited until the election to announce this money? People will see straight though this stunt and the Labour and Plaid Cymru government should have more respect for the people of Wales."

Image: The Pembrokeshire coast