West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has praised further Government support which will help local arts and heritage organisations as they plan to re-open for paying customers after the latest lockdown.

Malvern Theatre and the Regal Theatre in Tenbury were both made financial awards as part of a £400 million support package for 2,700 arts, culture and heritage organisations.

The recovery fund was designed last year, allocating £1.57 billion to help culture and heritage organisations survive through the pandemic.

Harriett said: “We’re all looking forward to getting back to doing the things we love and this Culture Recovery Fund is playing a crucial role helping businesses stay afloat.

“The amazing progress rolling out the vaccination programme means that many more people will feel confident about getting out and about and making plans for the summer.

“I’ve stayed in close contact with many of these organisations over the last 12 months and supported bids to various funds and I am planning to go and visit them all soon and hopefully get in to see some live performances before too long.

“The arts sector has been particularly hard hit by the lockdown and although these measures are welcome, the best way we can support them in the long-term is by visiting as paying customers.”