Watford Borough Council has been awarded £3.7m government funding to help secure the sustainable long-term future of Watford Colosseum and the town hall.

The money, will support the installation of a range of energy efficiency measures in the 1930s, Grade II listed buildings, which the council says will make an "important contribution" to its carbon neutral commitment for Watford by 2030.

The cash has been awarded by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Peter Taylor, elected mayor of Watford, said: "This is really positive news and the funding we have secured will support two of our ambitions for Watford. We are committed to being a vibrant, diverse and creative town with a range of cultural venues and performances for all our community.

"We also recognise the vital importance of tackling climate change, protecting the environment for generations to come by achieving carbon neutral in the next decade.

"Bringing the Colosseum up to modern energy related standards, as part of our overall plans for the venue, means it will be able to open its doors to audiences for many years to come."

At the beginning of the year, the council announced it would be spending £5 million refurbishing the Colosseum after taking over the running of the building.

But the takeover came at the cost of a number of jobs, which were officially lost on Christmas Eve, the Observer reported last month.

Read more: 'Dozens at Watford Colosseum lost their jobs on Christmas Eve'

Meanwhile, the council is on the lookout for a company to help develop its Town Hall Quarter scheme, which is said signal a "major investment in Watford’s heritage, culture, local jobs and future prosperity".

The council says the scheme is several interlinked projects will, together as part of the programme, secures the future of the town hall and Colosseum - and open up the area around them for new homes, business space, and community use.

Mr Taylor said: "We are looking for a partner who can blend a good understanding of heritage with leading edge design and innovation, working with us to deliver our ambitions for a thriving, prosperous and welcoming town."