The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds has been handed £26,000 by the town council to help its outreach work with thousands of children in the area.

Julia Read, the theatre’s head of development, offered her “heartfelt thanks” to the council after giving a presentation at Wednesday night’s meeting.

“It is absolutely wonderful news and not only means that we can now continue delivering these projects, but it gives us stability too in that we’re not having to scrabble around for funding for each outreach project on top of the fundraising we have to do each year to help keep the theatre buoyant, it means that we can plan and deliver them with confidence,” she said.

“We see first hand what a huge impact these projects can make to all those who take part, and it is absolutely wonderful to witness it, and it’s just such a relief that the Bury town councillors also understand that impact and are offering to help us.”

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, councillor Paul Hopfensperger said: “The whole Theatre Royal itself is a jewel in the crown without a doubt and it’s a fantastic venue – everything about it is good.”

Jo Rayner, who as well as a town councillor is also the borough’s cabinet member for leisure and culture said: “They’ve worked very hard to get where they are today. They’ve been in a much worse place and worked very hard.”

Ms Read said in her presentation the theatre was asking for 50% of the contribution towards the project costs.

The theatre asked for £10,500 towards its associate artists programme which helps the theatre provide outreach projects with other Bury charities to “educate, nurture and empower the sick, isolated and disadvantaged”.

It also asked for £15,500 towards its 2017 Children’s Festival.