THE Theatre Royal in York and The Shed at Brawby, near Malton, are among arts organisations across the region to benefit from millions of pounds of Government funding.

Arts Council England today announced its three-year investment plan to create new opportunities for expansion and growth for artists and arts organisations.

The council has produced a single plan for the whole country and its grant from the treasury will increase from £335 million in 2003/04 to £410 million in 2004/05.

In the Yorkshire region it means more than £5 million a year of new investment by 2005/06 with 125 organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber receiving more money, and another 13 receiving regular funding for the first time.

The plan also includes more than £4 million a year in Yorkshire for one-off applications for arts projects.

Organisations to benefit include the Theatre Royal York, which receives an additional £127,000 in recognition of its progress over the past two years and to bring it into line with other producing theatres.

The Shed, a nationally-recognised promoter of contemporary jazz and world music based in the tiny village hall of Brawby will receive an uplift of £6,000.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park will receive an additional £240,000 to assist it to fulfil its national and international role as a unique site for contemporary sculpture.

Kala Sangam and South Asian Arts UK, two key South Asian arts organisations, receive an extra £100,000 and £35,000 respectively. Hull Time Based Arts receives an additional £145,000 to support its capital development as a nationally important media arts organisation.

Sir Norman Adsetts, Arts Council member and chairman of the Yorkshire Regional Arts Council, said: "This new investment in the arts in Yorkshire will enable many of our arts organisations to really thrive."

Updated: 10:20 Tuesday, March 25, 2003