ST HELENS is one of the 24 places in the north west that will be placed on a priority list for cultural funding.

It comes as the Culture Secretary announced today that by 2025, areas outside London will benefit from a £75 million boost in cultural funding.

Cultural investment outside London via the Arts Council is expected to rise to almost £250m by 2025.

The boost in financial support will ensure a better distribution of arts funding, help level up the country and increase accessibility and opportunity in areas that have been culturally under-served in years gone by.

Other areas included in the list are nearby Halton, Warrington, Wigan, Knowsley and West Lancashire.

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Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “The north west is home to a huge number of important cultural institutions, and it has a long and proud artistic heritage.

“But for too long arts funding has been heavily focused on London.

“The Government is changing that so that people across the North West of England can benefit from an even greater array of cultural activities on their doorstep.”