Arts centre's future secured

The Assembly Rooms opened in 1993

The future of south Shropshire's premier arts and entertainments centre has been secured.

Town councillors voted to continue supporting the the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, awarding the venue £15,000 for next year.

There had been fears for the future of the centre after some town councillors tried to scrap the grant last month.

They wanted to divert funds to the town's cash-strapped Youth Forum, a project which aims to create opportunities for the 16 to 25 age group.

But, on Monday night, councillors voted to maintain the Assembly Rooms' grant after many people in Ludlow raised objections.

The town's mayor, Rose Jones, says the Youth Forum will also get financial aid.

"We've given £8,000 to them and also enlarged the grant for the Assembly Rooms... so it's winners all round," she said.