A THEATRE company which counts Bradwall Village Hall among its touring venues has received a lifeline grant from the government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts which operates across Cheshire East cancelled all its shows on March 17 because of the pandemic.

It is continuing to stage productions online and will be helped to do so by being part of the rescue package which has been offered to a number of arts and cultural organisations in Cheshire East this week.

Circus Starr in Congleton has received the largest grant of £317,551 while the Clonter

Farm Music Trust, based near Congleton has received a £100,00 cash award.

Crewe Lyceum Theatre has received a total of £231,387 and the Tatton Park education service has been awarded £180,000 to develop educational resources for virtual use in schools, for home educators and families.

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts has also been awarded a grant of

Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: "The support for organisations in Cheshire East is both welcome and necessary to help through these difficult times for the cultural sector.

"The Lyceum theatre is a vital part of the economic vitality and cultural life of Crewe and the wider area, being greatly missed during this pandemic. This funding will be essential to the theatre's eventual reopening, enabling audiences to delight once more in what this wonderful theatre has to offer."