Theatres awarded £36,000 for eco projects

The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich was one of nine theatres across the UK to receive a share of £169,497

Two theatres in Suffolk have been awarded tens of thousands of pounds as part of a drive to make them more environmentally friendly.

The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds has been given £20,000 while the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich has received more than £16,000.

The money, handed out by The Theatres Trust in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation, is supposed to be used for environmental sustainability projects.

Both theatres plan to upgrade their stage lighting to energy efficient LEDs, while The New Wolsey Theatre will also introduce timers and light sensors.

The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds will use the money to upgrade its stage lighting

The grants have been awarded from a £169,497 pot which is being shared among nine different theatres across the UK.

Joshua McTaggart, director of the Theatres Trust, said: "These grants remind us that sustainability goes hand-in-hand with civic pride and empowering communities."

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said there was an "urgent need" for venues to think more about sustainability.