The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced that four heritage projects across Britain are to receive a share of a funding package worth £15.6m.

Initial support has also been given to a further four schemes, which will now move to the second stage of the HLF application process and have two years to submit fully developed proposals to secure funding. Among the projects to receive guaranteed funding is the Canterbury Beaney in Kent. The museum, art gallery and library will receive nearly £6m for the preservation and extension of the Grade II-listed building.

The Grade II*-listed City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is set to be restored following an award of £2.7m, while £3.35m has been handed to Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland to help fund a £6m restoration of the 17th century attraction. Preston Hall Museum in Stockton-on-Tees has also secured guaranteed funding worth £3.58m. HLF chair, Jenny Abramsky, said: "This is a huge investment into four very different projects. These types of projects are the backbone of the UK's heritage with a focus very much on local people and the unique stories of their communities."

Meanwhile, the four schemes to receive first-round passes as part of the funding application process include plans to create new visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, and the restoration of Stowe House in Buckinghamshire. Projects at Cardigan Castle in Ceredigion, west Wales, and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, have also been given the opportunity to progress with funding applications.

Of the four first-round passes, Abramsky said: "Competition for Heritage Lottery Fund money continues to be fierce and this set of first-round applications was more than three times over-subscribed. Our support for these projects demonstrates that we can continue to help protect and conserve heritage across the UK." Image: Canterbury Beaney