ARTS and culture in Morecambe has landed a £20,000 shot in the arm from the legacy of one of its most famous former residents.

The Winter Gardens and Morecambe Warblers Amateur Operatic Society each received £10,000 from the Thora Hird Charitable Trust

In a letter to the chairman of Friends of the Winter Gardens, Cllr Evelyn Archer, Dame Thora's daughter Janette Scott said that both the Winter Gardens and the Warblers held a special place in her mother's heart.

"I'm sure mother would be delighted to have the money go towards the restoring of the wonderful building where she met my father. He was playing in the orchestra and she was on stage in a Warblers production which I believe was Maid of the Mountains," she said.

Coun Archer said she was delighted with the award which she says came out of the blue.

"We had no idea that we were getting any money so it's come as a very nice surprise that two Morecambe organisations have received £10,000," she says.

"We haven't had chance to think about what to do with the money yet so we'll probably wait until the building has been restored and then decide what sort of tribute to Dame Thora would be appropriate," she added.

Leader of Lancaster City Council Ian Barker was in no doubt that the announcement is good news for the arts in Morecambe.

"This is great news for the town. Obviously there is still a long way to go for the Winter Gardens but £10,000 will provide a valuable boost," he says.