Stafford Borough has received an early Christmas present after it was announced that a £4.6m Government funding bid had proved successful.

The windfall from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is set to contribute to leisure services in Stone, as well as a new educational facility earmarked for Stafford.

And the borough's rural economy is also set to benefit from support too, borough councillors were told this week. Councillor Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning, announced the bid result at Tuesday's full council meeting (December 6).

She said: "Over the past few months we have put together a bid to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This morning the Government announced we have been awarded our bid in its entirety, at a time when many authority bids failed or only partially succeeded.

"It is a massive tribute to the work our officers have done alongside the members. And I would say it shows a confidence by Government we have an ability to run these projects and take them to completion.

"The funding breaks into into three large blocks. One very much concentrates on Stone and it includes the fitting out of the Crown Wharf Theatre, resurfacing of Westbridge Park, the Scout building and two car parks at Westbridge.

"One is for the economy and support for the Institute of Technology at Stafford College, which is still to be built. We've been allowed to put forward some more money into the History Centre in Eastgate Street, which is due to come on stream at the end of next year.

"I have fought very hard and talked to our MPs to get money and investment into our rural borough. And I'm pleased to say the initial announcement is for rural grants for business to business and a rural workspace study to identify new capital projects that may be put forward.

"We're waiting to hear about another bid we've put in under the (Rural England Prosperity Fund), which is for £480,000. We will be letting you know how we get on with that fund.

"And there is further investment in the High Streets Fund. That project is being rolled out and you will see a lot of work from January onwards, as well as support for green projects,"

The news met with a round of applause in the chamber from fellow councillors. Aidan Godfrey, leader of the opposition Labour group, said: "On the face of it it does sound really good news and we look forward to hearing the details."

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group received Government approval at the end of last year to develop an Institute of Technology. A planning application has been submitted to Stafford Borough Council for the Palmbourne site within the Station Gateway area.

The council is now waiting to hear if its bid for a share of the Levelling Up Fund has proved successful too. It is seeking just under £20m to support the Stafford Station Gateway scheme, which aims to regenerate the area around the town's railway station and create new homes, business and leisure space.