A MAJOR funding boost is being handed to a Herefordshire town as part of a £95 million initiative.

Leominster is the latest town have its bid for cultural heritage funding successfully granted.

The funding, available as part of the £95 million High Streets Heritage Action Zone initiative, has been secured by the newly formed Leominster Cultural Consortium, made up of representatives from the local community including local artists, creators, crafters, performers, event organisers and community groups.

The consortium is led by the Leominster Festival and also supported by Leominster Town Council.

Consortium chair Wendy Coombey said: "This funding is incredible news for Leominster and we are looking forward to working with our community and partner organisations to highlight and support culture and the arts in our town over the next three years and beyond.

"We want people from all backgrounds and abilities to explore, create and enjoy taking part in art and culture, in a way which really celebrates our community and the wonderful place we live.”

Community consultation on how the funding should be spent is due to start during the upcoming Leominster Festival, which is planning a summer of music, poetry and family fun.

Following the Covid pandemic, these three years of funding will allow the town to design an exciting creative programme to engage and inspire.

Community engagement events will be launched on July 3 at the festival’s Big Green Family Fun Day on the Grange.

Leominster mayor Councillor Clive Thomas said: “Leominster is a hugely creative and diverse community and we are so excited to see this celebrated in the High Street Action Zone Cultural Programme over the next three years.”

Eilis Scott, acting regional director for Historic England Midlands, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about high streets.

"We’re delighted that Leominster is celebrating its important historic spaces.

"It is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”