A Corrie legend has welcomed £141,000 funding from the National Lottery for a local theatre.

The Dukes Theatre has been awarded £141,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to provide free weekly creative arts workshops, including drama, art, poetry, song, movement, and dance, for older people living in Lancaster and Morecambe.

Alongside staff at The Dukes, the new funding is also being welcomed by one of the theatre’s ambassadors, actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, most famous for her role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, as well as roles in TV dramas The Pact, Happy Valley and Broadchurch.

As a star of both stage and screen, Julie has a meaningful connection to Lancashire, having been born and raised in Accrington, and has been a supporter of The Dukes for many years. She jumped at the chance to attend an ‘In Conversation Event’ there recently to celebrate the launch of Prime Time.

Julie said: “Over and over again I see the difference a funded, vibrant local theatres like the Dukes makes to the cultural ecology of a town, and to the sense of civic pride and wellbeing. And crucially it also brings jobs and visitors to the area, which in these dark times, is a beacon of hope.”

The Prime Time sessions will centre around mental wellbeing and providing a space for creative expression and will support participants over the age of 65 to develop creative skills, strengthen social ties and fill a gap in local provision.

Around 50 people each week will attend the sessions, with plans for a monthly film club and an older people’s creative symposium to celebrate work with older people across other cultural organisations in the North West.

Carl Woodward, head of creative communities at The Dukes, said: “We remain committed to delivering a vibrant cultural offer for Lancaster and Morecambe, the county and the region, providing inclusive activities and entertainment at the heart of our community.

“Our work with older people across the district is a key part of our activity and, with the help of this new funding, we look forward to learning from each other and creating a meaningful impact across the county over the next three years.”