COLCHESTER and Ipswich Museums Services has been given more than £660,000 of funding.

The service successfully applied to the Arts Council Resilience Fund for the grant.

It will be used to take on more staff, develop its workforce’s skills and make the museums more sustainable and resilient.

Tim Young, councillor responsible for culture at Colchester Council, said: “I’m delighted the Arts Council has recognised the excellence of the museums in Colchester and Ipswich and will work with us to develop the museums as centres of learning and creativity.

“The outstanding success of Colchester Castle is generating wide interest in Colchester’s unique heritage and this funding will support Colchester Council’s strategic goals to make more of our great heritage and culture.”