The Art Fund has announced plans to increase its support towards museums and galleries by more than 50 per cent over the next three years.

In light of financial pressures facing attractions and institutions, the organisations has said that it will commit £7m each year to its funding programme - up from £4.5m.

A new project to provide 'special access' to art across the UK - the National Art Pass - is also to be launched by the Art Fund to give free entry to more than 200 attractions.

Over the last five years, nearly 250 museums have shared more than £24m to help purchase important works of art, with more money to be made directly available going forward.

Other measures include more public fundraising campaigns; support for tours and schemes that share art around the UK; and backing for curatorial development.

Art Fund director Stephen Deuchar said: "We must ensure that museums remain able to collect, display and interpret great works of art, for a wide public, whatever the financial pressures of the moment."

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt added: "The Art Fund has led the way in showing that philanthropy can be about small as well as large donations - and enabling many more people to access great art."

Image: Britainonview / Simon Kreitem