A PROJECT which has helped revive the town's artistic heartbeat has been boosted by a further £1million funding.

The Heart of Glass has obtained the money from the Arts Council England through its Creative People and Places programme.

The project focuses on more people taking the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in art experiences in the places where they live.

The funding boost comes following the initial £1.5 million investment ahead of the Heart of Glass' launch in 2014 the recently announced Ambition for Excellence Award of £485,000 which will help deliver a once in a generation project in 2018, the town's 150th birthday.

Over the past three years, Heart of Glass has committed to collaborative and social arts practice, supporting artists and communities across St Helens to make ambitious work that reaches new audiences.

Since its inception in 2014 more than 50,000 people have been reached in more than 150 projects.

Heart of Glass director Patrick Fox said: "We're thrilled to announce this support and wish to thank Arts Council England for their continued commitment to this programme and to Heart of Glass and St Helens.

"Much has been achieved in the past two years and we're ambitious for the future. We believe that St Helens is a centre for creative practice, and the work we've completed with our many and varied communities has demonstrated this.

"The arts has a major role to play in the future of the town and this support can only strengthen this role."

Cllr Jeanie Bell, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, added: “I was extremely excited to hear that the Heart of Glass have been successful in obtaining the second round of funding from the Arts Council England.

“In the last few years the Heart of Glass Programme has become embedded within the arts community in St Helens and led the way in new and exciting arts practice and engagement throughout the borough.

“This announcement is great news for our borough and I look forward to seeing some of the innovative and aspirational pieces of work that I know are in the planning.”