A grant of £2,500 has been awarded to the PhotoEast project to develop an inaugural photography festival.

The project works alongside University Campus Suffolk to deliver photography exhibitions, talks and workshops across east Suffolk.

Suffolk County Council labour councillors have awarded the funds from their locality budgets, which will go towards setting up the inaugural PhotoEast Festival, which will promote the work of local photographers and photojournalists.

PhotoEast co-director Jo Bexley said: “Suffolk has a rich heritage of photographic practice and many industry professionals have connections to the region.

“Photography is the most accessible art-form, non-elitist and inclusive. For many it can open the door to the transformative power of the arts. With this Festival, we are looking to establish Suffolk as a centre for excellence in photography, bringing together artists and practitioners working in the region and providing a platform for celebrating and producing photography.”