Two Congleton organisations have been awarded over £415,000 between them as part of the government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF), administered by Arts Council England.

Congleton-based Circus Starr received the largest award for Cheshire East organisations with £317,551 and Clonter Farm Music Trust, based near Congleton, received £100,000.

Amanda Harman and Isabella Lockett, Joint Chief Executives Clonter Farm Music Trust, said: "This grant is a tremendous endorsement and recognition of Clonter's contribution to talent development in the North West over the last 46 years.

"We would like to thank Arts Council England, Department of Culture Media and Sport, Cheshire East, HM Treasury and all Clonter's loyal supporters, funders and on-line audiences, Trustees, volunteers, and our dedicated colleagues at Clonter.

"It makes Clonter more determined than ever to continue to play its part in contributing to the cultural eco-system of our local community, as well as our national creative community, at this most challenging time."

Other successful Cheshire East organisations included Tatton Park education service which has been awarded £180,000.

It is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the UK receiving financial aid, to combat the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The funding will enable the facility to develop educational resources for virtual use in schools, for home educators and families.

The sustainable learning offer receives 24,000 school pupils and 1,000 informal learners per year, attaining the Sandford Award consistently since 1979. Many enrolments come from across Cheshire East and the North West region.

Crewe Lyceum Theatre also received a total of £231,387; and Cheshire Rural Touring Arts which operates across Cheshire East and Cheshire West were also successful.

Councillor Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: "I am pleased that Tatton Park has been successful, with funding to support and continue its award-winning education work, despite the constraints caused by the pandemic.

"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."