MP Derek Thomas has welcomed the announcement of more than £400k of funding to help West Cornwall’s cultural institutions weather the pandemic.

The Bernard Leach Trust (£58,335) in St Ives, the Penzance-based Cornwall Theatre Company (£82,118), Golowan CIC (£50,000), Museum of Cornish Life (£56,306) at Helston and Telegraph Museum (£164,000) at Porthcurno are among the first recipients in the country to benefit from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is being administered by the Arts Council.

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Mr Thomas said that each of the five organisations make a ‘massive contribution’ to the cultural life of the area. “All of them play a key role in defining us culturally and creatively here in West Cornwall and it is a great boost that they are receiving the support they need to get through this very difficult time,” he said.

“The funding will protect these special places, save jobs and give breathing space to allow them to survive and prosper when we return to normal and I welcome the fact that the Culture Secretary has said that cultural venues and organisations can expect further support in the days and weeks ahead to enable the culture sector to bounce back strongly.”