CORONAVIRUS has changed the face of our local communities and one sector that has been hit hard is that of arts and culture.

That’s why it is extremely welcome that arts venues and groups in the county will receive a lifeline share of £3.1 million in funding awarded by the Government.

Gill Haigh, the managing director of Cumbria Tourism is right when she says our county has an ‘exceptional cultural offer’.

This funding is absolutely vital to maintaining the brilliantly creative and inspiring arts and cultural organisations we have in Cumbria.

What would South Cumbria be like is we had no Brewery Arts Centre, no Royalty Cinema, no Zeffirellis?

The only answer is culturally poorer.

It is crucial they survive this crisis not just for the economic benefits they bring into the county, but for the fabric and wellbeing of our local communities.

When the locally restrictions allow we should show our support not just online but my visiting these venues and spending our hard earned cash.

The next few months will bring more challenges for our cultural and heritage organisations and they will still need

help and support to see them through.

Arts organisations are often the backbones of communities. Many offer a refuge or an escape from 'normal

They allow us to express ourselves, bathe in cultural, to engage with our heritage - and be entertained.

In all £257 million will be handed out nationally in the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. On paper it’s a lofty

sum that will go some way to helping the recipients.

But you can’t put a value on their importance.

So come on Gazette readers lets lend our support and when we can show them how much we love them.

It would be awful for our younger generations to grow up without the chance to enjoy the culture and entertainment they bring.