Two cultural cornerstones in Trafford are set to receive a share of an £8.6m investment in arts across Greater Manchester.

MancSpirit and Company Chameleon are two of 35 theatres, museums, festivals, and cultural centres from all ten boroughs to be given a grant from the Greater Manchester Culture Fund.

This year's investment is up almost a quarter from the £7m allocated in 2018, and The Lowry in Salford is also being given some cash.

Damian Carr, CEO of MancSpirit, a mental wellbeing charity for Greater Manchester, said: "Having this opportunity to work alongside GMCA and other organisations that are passionate about Culture, Heritage and the Arts in our Greater Manchester is a real milestone within the MancSpirit story.

"It is our ambition to reach out to communities that would otherwise feel disenfranchised, isolated, disengaged and left behind; and this funding will help us to ensure that arts, culture and creativity are accessible throughout our Greater Manchester.

"This project will provide a foundation for people in Trafford, Bury, Stockport and Wigan to showcase the great work they do and provide a platform for some incredible untapped talent.

"Manchester has a fantastic reputation for being at the centre of Creativity, Arts, Innovation and positive Social Change and it’s time that all 10 boroughs were given the same opportunity to showcase what they have to offer.

"Each of our Boroughs has a unique cultural identity, strong regional narrative and a vastly diverse offer. Through our programme of work over the next two years we will offer inspiration, open up investment and improve mental health & wellbeing for those that live, work, learn, visit and socialise in our Greater Manchester.”

The group is committed to improving the mental health of those who choose the borough as a home, and believe that being Mancunian is an attitude, not a birth-right.

Dance theatre Company Chameleon are also set to receive a funding boost.

The founders, Anthony Missen and Kevin Edward Turner, met at Trafford youth dance in the 1990s and trained professionally at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

After graduating and working extensively around the world, they returned home in 2007 and set up their own company.

The fund has been created by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to support organisations that provide cultural experiences and opportunities throughout the borough.

There were 103 applications, with this phase of the grant programme continuing until 2022.

Cllr David Greenhalgh, GMCA Portfolio Lead for Culture, said: “The groups and organisations recognised here represent some of the very best Greater Manchester has to offer. They are a celebration of the diversity and dynamism of our cultural scene, which continues to produce outstanding talent and provide entertainment and education to our residents and visitors from around the world.”

“Greater Manchester is a place like no other when it comes to culture, creativity and opportunity. Through the Culture Fund, we are reaffirming our commitment to the groups and institutions that are the lifeblood of our communities, and which contribute more than £1.4 billion to our economy every year.”