MP Helen Goodman has called on the Government to support an arts centre which had to a launch a campaign to raise thousands of pounds in a bid to stay open.

The MP, whose Bishop Auckland constituency includes Barnard Castle, raised the Investing in The Witham campaign in the House of Commons on Thursday.

She asked culture secretary Jeremy Wright and Arts Council England to support the venue which hopes to have raised £30k in the last 30 days to fill a funding gap, whilst work to secure a long term future continues.

She asked the Minister: “One key attraction for tourists is arts. So will he ask the Arts Council to support the very excellent Witham arts centre in Barnard Castle?”

Mr Wright said: “I am very grateful to the honourable lady. I am not familiar with it yet– but I’m sure I soon will be.”

He assured Ms Goodman that he’ll “certainly be speaking to the Arts Council about the work it can do across the country, including her part of the world, to support [the arts].”

The Witham thanked supporters for backing the appeal, which ended with a concert last night, but stressed the importance of securing multiple funding streams to be sustainable.

They said: “Thank you to our MP Helen Goodman for speaking up for The Witham in Parliament with week. It is wonderful to have your support and amazing to hear The Witham mentioned in the Houses of Parliament.

“The public response to our fundraising campaign has been fantastic and we are working to secure grant funding from various sources to support our work going forward, including the Arts Council.

“It is only by working to generate funds through three channels (public giving, corporate support and grant funding) that The Witham’s long-term future can be secured.

“Thank you to all who are supporting The Witham.”