Arts organisations could be given millions of pounds in Brighton and Hove.

The city council is backing a bid to the Government for a share of the Urban Cultural Fund.

Brighton and Hove failed in its bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

But the Government decided to set up the Urban Cultural Fund with £10 million from the Millennium Commission and £5 million from the Arts Council.

The fund has not been restricted to bids from the 12 cities involved in the Capital of Culture process but Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has written to all of them about the fund and expects them to apply.

When the money is shared out, the minimum award will be £500,000 and the maximum will be £4 million.