The government’s Renaissance in the Regions scheme, which aims to improve regional museums and galleries, will receive an increase in government funding.

Culture secretary James Purnell has announced that investment in the programme will rise from £45m this year to £48.7m in 2010/11.

James Purnell said: “Our regional museums and galleries are one of our greatest assets as a nation. A lively and stimulating resource for schools, a great place for family visits or just somewhere for people to go to nourish their imagination and help them find their place in history.

“This funding will enable regional museums to continue to refresh their collections, to reach new audiences, strengthen their educational offer to schools and adult learners and, working in partnership with national museums, enable more touring exhibitions across the country.”

The total amount of funds provided by the government between the scheme’s launch in 2002 and 2010/11 will total around £300m.

Mark Wood, chair of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), said: “This settlement is a substantial commitment to the frontline and a testament to the hard work of museum staff, hub leaders and MLA partners in the regions.”