READING Abbey will receive a big funding boost to help restore its events and activities safely as the pandemic continues.

It will receive £80,500 thanks to the Culture Recovery Fund, which supports cultural organisations that were financially stable before Covid-19, but became at imminent risk as the pandemic set in.

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Reading Borough Council (RBC) said on Twitter: "We are very excited to announce @RdgAbbey is set to receive a lifesaving £80,500 boost of thanks to the Culture Recovery Fund.

"This will help us deliver events & activities safely given the challenges of the pandemic. #HereForCultur@dcms @HeritageFundUK @HistoricEngland."

Responding, employers of Reading Abbey called this "fantasist news."

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The organisation posted on Twitter to say: "Fantastic news, coupled with announcement of flagship #MagicalChristmasInReading, the town's first outdoor light and sound installation in Forbury Gardens and the Abbey Ruins.

"And our 900th birthday in 2021! #HereForCulture."