Arts companies have secured £1.5 million in funding.

Three West Sussex companies have been granted funding from Arts Council England.

The grant comes from the 2023-26 Investment Programmes for National Portfolio Organisations (NPO) and Investment Principles Support Organisations (IPSO).

Over 1,700 organisations submitted applications for funding although not all were successful.

Arts Council England said that the announcement today will provide £446 million per annum of investment to bring art, culture, and creativity to more people, in more places, across the country.

In West Sussex, three companies secured their first ever Arts Council grants.

Sinoist Books, an independent press based in Horsham that publishes translated Chinese literature and contemporary fiction, will receive a total of £150,000 over the next three years.

Securing the largest amount of funding in the region, AudioActive gives young people in Worthing the chance to access and create music.

A spokesman for the non-profit said: "This funding means we can plan long-term and take more risks in order to grow and change more young people’s lives through music.

"We’re incredibly grateful to all AudioActive team members both past and present and all of the people and partners who have helped us to reach this landmark."

The company will receive a grant of over £300,000 a year from 2023 to 2026.

The Posh Club in Crawley is a performance and social club for older people.

It will receive a £150,000 grant each year, totalling £450,000 over the three-year period.