Bridport Museum has received a lifeline grant from government's £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund.

It has been awarded £50,000 to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure it has a sustainable future.

Bridport Musuem is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. A £257million investment has been announced today (Monday) as part of the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

The museum, which reopened for the first time since March last week, receives thousands of visitors every year, supported by its 80-strong volunteer team. It contributes an estimated £1million each year to the local economy and runs an annual programme of exhibitions, events and community projects.

Emily Hicks, director of Bridport Museum, said: "This is incredible news to have received – we are so grateful to the Government for recognising the value that arts, culture and museums play nationally and locally.

"It's been an extremely tough six months and having finally been able to reopen last week, we've been overwhelmed by the number of people who have been popping in to say they have really missed us.

"The funding will allow us to pay overheads and plug some of the income gap left from being closed since March, as well as invest in our future.

"Although it sounds like a lot of money, it doesn't mean we are 'out of the water' yet and we will still need our visitors and local community to keep supporting us. By donating when you visit, buying something in our local shop, or just keep sharing our posts on social media, you can help us to continue sharing Bridport's stories."

Sir Nicholas Serota, chairman of Arts Council England, said: "Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.

"This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times."

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector's recovery.

"These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country, This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly."