THREE more years of music, theatre and comedy will be brought to Cheshire villages thanks to a cash boost of more than £260,000.

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, in partnership with its Lancashire sister scheme, has won £262,194 funding from the Arts Council England.

The group, supported by Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East councils, promotes two seasons each year involving 130 volunteer promoters and books 46 different companies and bands each year.

Around 47 per cent of the performances are new writing and 50 per cent of the events are a programme of theatre and dance.

They perform to audiences of 4,500 people.

Clr Stuart Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive member for culture and economy, said:”Cheshire Rural Touring Arts has a rich pool of promoters who love the challenge of promoting high quality performances that people otherwise would need to travel to Manchester or Liverpool to see.

“This is great entertainment on rural doorsteps.

“Over the years it has helped bring communities together and also visitors attracted by the first class entertainment on offer.”