Brentford's creative sector has been given a cash boost that the council hopes will help with the borough's economic recovery after the pandemic.

The cash will help local people in creative careers and support local businesses.

The new £500k pot comes from the Mayor of London (under Hounslow's Creative Enterprise Zone designation), the European Social Fund and the council's own Section 106 planning receipts.

A process has begun to deliver the cash through a consortium approach to include local stakeholders such as the education sector and creative specialists in a programme that will launch early next year.

Hounslow is home to big players in the creative sector such as Sky, Paramount and Disney, but also to many small, innovative businesses and start-ups.

The project will support residents into employment and will also help aspirational female and BAME creatives to find work in areas where they are often underrepresented.

Councillor Steve Curran, Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration at Hounslow Council said: "I'm delighted Hounslow will be receiving this funding from the Greater London Authority through the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) programme.

"Continued investment in our local creative businesses forms an integral part of our economic recovery planning.

"It will support a key objective for our CEZ in helping our residents, many from BAME communities who may not previously have considered a career in the creative industries, into work.

"Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hounslow is forecast to be one of the hardest hit boroughs in London, this financial support will provide a timely boost."