Three tourism services in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, are to benefit from extra investment through a partnership between the local authority and private sector.

The Playhouse Theatre, the Winter Gardens and the Tourist Information Service have each been earmarked additional cash by North Somerset Council (NSC) to benefit residents and visitors.

Efforts to reduce costs over the last three years have generated savings of £272,000, with the council now set to agree a contract with Parkwood Leisure to run the three services for a 10-year period.

As a result, capital investment is to be provided for the creation of a new tourist information centre at the Winter Gardens and restoration work to both the Winter Gardens and the theatre.

NSC leader Nigel Ashton said: "While we may not know for several months exactly what impact on us the public spending cuts will have, we will continue to work hard, as we have been for the last three years, on innovative and creative ways to safeguard services."

Councillors are scheduled to decide on whether to award a contract to Parkwood Leisure at a meeting of the full council on 19 October.