West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a series of grants which will help local culture organisations to survive while the country continues to deal with the global pandemic.

The Government has allocated £1.57 billion to help arts and heritage organisations deal with reduced revenues and extra operating costs owing to coronavirus.

The famous baroque church in Great Witley was awarded a grant on Friday and Malvern Theatres and Tenbury’s Regal Theatre have also been offered support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

Harriett has been working closely with a range of local organisations, supporting bids and encouraging local groups to apply for funding.

Harriett said: “The Government moved swiftly to deliver a series of schemes to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods. The Culture Recovery Fund was created to ensure that as many arts and heritage venues as possible are able to stay alive as we enter a further period of lockdown.

“The money will be used to help organisations with their fixed bills over the winter months and help them to support jobs and protect our heritage.

“I was particularly keen that our wonderful local theatres receive support and supported the bid from Malvern Theatre. I was also pleased to see that the beautiful baroque Witley Church has received funding towards repairs to its fabric”