THE Palace Theatre has for the first time received a cash boost from another source other than Redditch Council.

It was announced on Monday a deal had been confirmed with Worcestershire County Council in which the Alcester Street theatre will benefit from a two-year fixed term funding agreement totalling £19,000.

The cash will be used to help the Palace develop new and younger audiences and bring more unusual and culturally diverse work to the venue.

Plans are already in place for a visit from Jamaican and American theatre companies and the Scheme for Teen Arts (START) was also recently launched, featuring with live static trapeze, DJ-ing, drumming and the screening of the documentary film Fusion.

Redditch Council theatre and arts development manager Jonathan Cochrane said the future of the grade two listed Edwardian venue was looking "more than hopeful" following the county's 'encouraging' cash injection, coupled with the £1 million from Redditch Council towards the theatre's refurbishment.