Belfast Festival Sponsored

The Stage reports that the Belfast Festival has been saved following a £1 million sponsorship deal.

The money will foster a three-year partnership between the annual celebration of international performing arts and the Ulster Bank and follows the announcement of a £300,000 injection in December for the troubled event by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Faced with closure in late 2006, the festival was only saved by a £150,000 stability grant in February last year.

The new investment by the Ulster Bank cements the company's position as a leading supporter of the performing arts in Ireland and follows last year's announcement of a €1 million sponsorship of the Dublin Theatre Festival.