THEATRE impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber is ploughing thousands of pounds into the performing arts in and around Cornwall.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation is announcing its latest round of grants and, of the 22 grants awarded, £20,000 has been given to Theatre Royal Plymouth and £50,000  to Hall for Cornwall.

Hall for Cornwall will receive £50,000 over three years to continue to develop the youth programme in the community while major redevelopment takes place at the venue.

Working with hundreds of young people per year, it will develop all areas of the youth theatre and dance provision, including supporting practitioners to work with the young companies.

£20,000 has been awarded over two years to Theatre Royal Plymouth to support The Lab Company, a part-time, year-long training course for 12 early career artists.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation was set up by Andrew in 1992 to promote the arts, culture and heritage for the public benefit, and has now awarded grants of £19 million.