THE latest round of funding from the Arts Council announced last week contained good news for at least one local organisation.

In its inaugural year, the Worcestershire Arts Trail has been awarded £3,395 to promote the event across the county and nationally.

The trail will run from May 27 to 30, and will give the public access to studios and workshops and encourage them to visit galleries and exhibitions, meet artists and craftsmen, watch them at work and discuss their craft and inspiration.

In the Malvern area, these include the furniture workshop of Mary Marsh and Gavin Davidge on Cowleigh Road, the studio of Betty Clarke, ceramicist, and Jacob Rock, sculptor, on Zetland Road, the workshop of Sarah Jones, batik artist, and Samantha Hemming, jeweller and silversmith, in Michael Crescent and Iapetus Gallery on Belle Vue Terrace.

Another batik artist, Marie-Thérèse King, will be among artists exhibiting and demonstrating at Blue Ginger Gallery near Cradley and there will be other open studios in Colwall, Ledbury and the Fold at Bransford as well as a further 30 artists at 17 other venues across the county.

Brochures are available from participating arts retailers, including Blue Ginger and the Fold, and at tourist information centres.

Look out for the big orange Arts Trail signs and put the date in your diary for the May bank holiday weekend. For further information, contact Becca Williams at worcestershireartstrail@live.com or 07845 579377, or visit www.worcsartstrail.org.uk.