Hull to get £13m towards City of Culture festival

Part of the money will be spent refurbishing Hull New Theatre

Hull is to get £13m from central government towards the City of Culture arts festival in 2017.

Chancellor George Osborne announced the funding during his Budget speech.

Hull City Council said the money would go towards the refurbishment of the city's New Theatre and other venues.

Labour council leader Stephen Brady welcomed the chancellor's announcement and said the finance would help "deliver our ambitions for the celebrations".

"As a council, we are making a huge investment in the city, both for our year as UK City of Culture and as part of a long-term plan to regenerate our economy, create local jobs and ensure that Hull is able to play its part in the Northern Powerhouse to the full," he said.

Hull beat off competition from Leicester, Dundee and Swansea Bay for the to the right to host the year-long arts event.

The UK government chooses a new destination every four years, with the aim of helping tourism and the economy.

Martin Green, chief executive of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 company, said: "This is a massive vote of confidence in Hull's ability to deliver this national event and to secure a legacy that will change the city forever."