Council awarded £226,000 museums grant

Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery is one of the museums to benefit

A grant of £226,238 has been given to support a council's museum service.

Shropshire Council said the money, from the Arts Council, meant it could keep services running and find new ways of generating income.

The local authority is seeking to make big savings before the end of the financial year, to avoid the threat of bankruptcy, but said museums across the country had been struggling.

James Owen, the councillor responsible for leisure, said the funding "recognises the vital role our museums and archives play in Shropshire's identity during these challenging times".

The council said the money would allow it to maintain staff numbers in the next financial year and avoid any reduction in opening times or programming.

It also said the money might fund a museum cafe or shop to bring in more income.