The redevelopment of one of the county’s top attractions has been given a major boost following a £5 million handout.

Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Estate has received the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It comes just weeks after they were given £5.8million from Arts Council England.

The cash will be put towards the first phase of the £35million masterplan which will see Royal Pavilion Estate preserved for generations to come.

The first phase will see the refurbishment of the Grade I Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and a major renovation of the Grade II Studio Theatre among other work.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival applied for £14million of Heritage Lottery Funding in May this year.

While the panel praised the application, they turned it down – suggesting that they reapply with a “phased grant”.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome and Festival said: “We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has followed Arts Council England in providing the next tier of funding for this project.

“It is a fantastic endorsement of our vision and - with the support of two such major funders - we have a really strong foundation to embark on our fundraising campaign as we work towards construction starting in autumn 2016.”

Stuart McLeod, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: “Today's initial HLF support marks the first step on an exciting journey for the Royal Pavilion Estate in the heart of Brighton.

“Plans can now get underway for this multi-phased project, the first of which will restore and reinvigorate the nationally important Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre. The strong partnership between Brighton and Hove City Council and Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival is impressive and we're confident this project will yield some great results for the heritage and people of Brighton.”

For the full story see The Argus tomorrow.