National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Leach Pottery in St Ives are among six South West organisations awarded a share of £2.6 million.

This financial boost comes courtesy of the Government Cultural Investment Fund.

It will support crucial repairs, renovations, and digital infrastructure development.

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth is set to receive £499,000.

These funds will provide necessary building work on the roof to address water, corrosion, and environmental issues caused by its proximity to the sea wall.

Richard Doughty, museum director at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall Trust, said: "Replacing our main roof has been a top priority for us, for several years.

"However, the costs have remained stubbornly beyond our reach.

"The MEND awards provide a lifeline for organisations struggling to finance essential infrastructure works and we are deeply grateful to have been given the help we need to address this fundamental issue."

Falmouth Packet: The Leach Pottery has stood on the same site for more than a century

St Ives’ Leach Pottery will make use of its generous £715,000 allocation to conduct urgent repairs to the structure, including the roof and windows, as well as improving accessibility with lift modifications.

Gary Topp, chair of the Bernard Leach (St Ives) Trust, said: "We are delighted to receive funding from the MEND project that will help us to carry out vital work to protect the Leach Pottery’s Grade 2 historic buildings for future generations to enjoy."

This ample funding will support essential upgrades to museums and public libraries, thus guaranteeing their continual contribution to their communities.

Arts and heritage minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: "Museums and libraries sit at the heart of their community, and this vital funding for libraries and museums across the South West will see treasured institutions like the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Leach Pottery continue to impress visitors from near and far."

Falmouth Packet:

Other notable beneficiaries of this funding include Dorset Council Library Service who received over £300,000 to enhance accessibility and digital services throughout their libraries.

The Lyn and Exmoor Museum in Devon was given more than £450,000, and The Museum of Bath Architecture over £320,000.

These funds are available through the Museum Estate and Development Fund and the Libraries Improvement Fund, both parts of the Cultural Investment Fund.

Both local authorities and accredited museums, not directly funded by DCMS, are eligible to apply for these funds which intend to transform public library services and assist with urgent museum maintenance.