TWO more Isle of Wight arts businesses have been given government cash from the Culture Recovery Fund.

Rhythmtree Festival will receive £138,000 and Strings in Newport £60,000, with both now confirming they were accepted to receive financial support from the Arts Council England run scheme.

The fund aims to aid enterprises negatively impacted by the Covid-19 shutdown.

Arts organisations are particularly struggling, as events have been cancelled.

Strings co-founder, Claydon Connor, said: "We are delighted to be in receipt of the Cultural Recovery Fund from Arts Council England.

"We have worked so hard over the past three years to create a live venue for people to come and watch top quality acts on a weekly basis, and this fund means we can continue to do so with restrictions and a reduced capacity.

"Like a lot of venues up and down the country we intend to remain part of the UK's live circuit for years to come, and will do everything in our power to ensure that happens.

"We would like to thank everyone for their continued support."

Strings held its first post-lockdown live show last month, when singer-songwriter Swan Levitt performed for a socially distanced audience.

The future of Rhythmtree had been in doubt after organisers were forced to cancel the 2020 edition of the festival.

The event is scheduled to return to Three Gates Farm in Calbourne from 9 to 11 July next year.

A statement from Rhythmtree said: "This support will ensure we can create, build and develop the future of Rhythmtree for many years to come.

"We are extremely grateful, it is a huge lift to all of us who have worked so hard to create our wonderful independent festival over the last ten years.

"It means we can continue with our vision of bringing outstanding, diverse arts and music, while developing creatively and professionally, as we hold hope for the future."