YOUR article 'Octagon's till jingles to tune of £290,000' (January 13) suggests that the theatre will receive a substantial increase in its subsidy from the North West Arts Board in the New Year.

However, I should tell you that the increase from last year is actually £34,493. £290,000 is the total subsidy from North West Arts Board. This money, combined with our other partner funders, pays for a year of produced theatre in Bolton.

The Arts Board recognises the value and quality of the work that the Octagon Theatre creates and the role a producing theatre plays in the success and credibility of the town itself. The Octagon's Award winning excellence is seen as a local and national asset by all those who live in the region.

It would be tremendous if the Octagon had an additional £290,000 each year. We could truly scale the heights and achieve great things for Bolton and the North West.

Lawrence Till, Artistic Director

Octagon Theatre, Bolton.

Editor's note: The information supplied by the North West Arts Board was misleading. I agree, Mr Till, that it would be tremendous if our local theatre received a grant of £290,000 every year.

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