BOLTON'S Octagon Theatre has received a funding boost to help it expand its work over the next three years.

The Octagon will get more than £1.5million in grants.

The theatre will receive a total of £1,583,952 over the next three years after being awarded the cash boost from the Arts Council England, North West.

The money will be used for core costs and for the theatre's outreach programme.

Last year the theatre received £390,000, and this will rise to £515,000 this year.

Next year the Octagon will get a grant of £527,876, and in 2005 it will receive £541,076. The announcement represents a total increase of 38.7 per cent in funding from the Arts Council.

It will be a welcome boost to the theatre, but staff are waiting until next week before they discuss how they will spend the money. Then they will then make a formal announcement.

An Octagon spokesman said until then they could make no official comment.

Michael Eakin, executive director of the Arts Council England, North West, said: "We are committed to investing in the future of arts in the region.

"Alongside the region's regularly funded arts organisations, the significant growth in our open access grants funds will allow a range of emerging companies and artists to be funded for the first time.

"Our funding for arts organisations that work with young people will rise significantly."

The Arts Council is handing out almost £80 million to art projects throughout the North-west over the next three years.