ARTS-BASED businesses in Herefordshire are to benefit from a European cash boost.

The Objective 2 funding of £551,195 will contribute to the £1.6m needed for the council's Creative Industries in Herefordshire project.

The grant will encourage arts-based businesses to flourish and will boost the chances for success of already thriving companies that work in crafts, film, visual arts, sculpture, literature, photography and design.

The key elements of the project will include business advice and information, marketing and showcasing, training opportunities and community regeneration.

There are around 500 creative businesses in the county and most are sole traders.

"With the creative industries being an important growth sector within the local and regional economy this award will make a massive difference to the potential of arts-based businesses in Herefordshire," said Natalia Silver, cultural and community liaison manager at Herefordshire Council.

"It is also relevant that it is part of the overall strategy of foot-and-mouth recovery to diversify the employment sector in the county.

"Another crucial aspect of this award is to recognise the importance of creative industries to the area's economic and community development."

Organisations involved in the project include Arts Alive, Herefordshire College of Art and Design, the Rural Media Company and business development organisations such as Advantage West Midlands and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Link.