Cheltenham Festivals has received £290,000 from the Government's £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund to help with post-pandemic life.

The grant is among more than £300million awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country today.

A digital-only programme for the festivals culminated in a record audience for the Literature Festival in October.

A statement from Cheltenham Festivals Leadership Team said: "This second grant from the Culture Recovery Fund will ensure Cheltenham Festivals can continue to create cultural experiences which bring joy, deepen curiosity, connect communities and inspire change.

"Without this crucial support from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Cheltenham Festivals would have struggled to survive the impact of the pandemic due to the loss of live events and box office receipts."

The funding, delivered via Arts Council England, will help provide a full programme and outreach work this year and build on Cheltenham Festivals' digital transformation.

Arts Council England chair Sir Nicholas Serota said: "Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic.

"These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work."