WEYMOUTH'S award-winning Nothe Fort has secured a £60,000 grant to develop its displays, educational programmes and heritage initiatives.

It will receive £20,000 per year for the next three years from Dorset Council to support its work.

The popular attraction has been awarded the cash from Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund.

It is the first time it has been allocated grant money from the council or any predecessor local authority.

News of the grant allocation comes after it won the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ category in the Dorset Tourism Awards.

The accolade was given in honour of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring it remained open to welcome thousands of visitors in a safe way.

Its submission to the council for grant money detailed plans to develop its museum displays, enhance its schools programme and support heritage initiatives across the area.

Nothe Fort Chairman, James Farquharson, said: "The Dorset Council revenue grant will help us develop the museum to deliver even greater success in the future.

"It is a vote of confidence in Nothe Fort and Weymouth to be a big part of Dorset’s economic renewal coming out of the pandemic.”

Dorset Council's new revenue grant awards scheme replace all historic funding schemes to cultural organisations that were awarded by former district councils.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said, “I’m delighted Dorset Council is able to offer support to the county’s cultural and community organisations, despite pressure on our budgets, as we know they play such a key part in the health, wellbeing and learning of so many people.”

Following a successful crowdfunding appeal, Nothe Fort adapted its facilities to open in a Covid-safe way in July 2020. Its easy-to-manage, Covid-safe open-air spaces enabled the attraction to host a wide range events for Weymouth that would otherwise not have gone ahead.

These included the Pirates of the Pavilion showcase, Dorset Food & Drink food markets and civic ceremonies such as VJ Day and the Remembrance Service for Weymouth Town Council.

During the last year, Nothe Fort safely welcomed 33,500 visitors, who collectively contributed £1,143,147 to the local economy.