A winter lights festival in Brighton and Hove will be among the projects funded by a £1million windfall for arts and culture.

The Government has awarded £750,000 in National Lottery cash to the new Brighton and Hove Arts Commission to pay for events such as live music, school arts and heritage projects over the next two years. Brighton and Hove City Council is confident an extra £250,000 will be found to add to the kitty to help boost tourism and regeneration.

A live music festival with local bands is planned and landmark buildings across the city, including the historic Pavilion, will be illuminated during the winter.

The money will come from the Urban Cultural Fund, which was established by the Millennium Commission and Arts Council of England.

Tessa Jowell MP, chairwoman of the Millennium Commission and Secretary of State for Culture, made the announcement.

She said: "I am delighted National Lottery funding will support this exciting and innovative programme in Brighton and Hove.

"Our arts are world class. They fire our children's imagination, promote social inclusion, celebrate our cultural diversity and help drive the regeneration of our cities."

Felicity Harvest, executive director of Arts Council England in the South-East, said: "With this programme we can continue to build on the creativity of the ideas the council has developed. This will benefit communities for generations to come."

Jackie Lythell, chairwoman of the arts commission, said: "We are delighted our bid has been successful.

"This will make a huge difference to what we are able to do over the next two years."

Outdoor artworks will be paid for out of the new pot of cash to spruce up public places and parks.

The glass Palm House at Stanmer Park will host a week of visual performance with the theme of nature.

Artists will also be commissioned to bring new life to the city's flower beds.

Brighton and Hove is one of three successful bidders from the south-east who will receive cash from The Urban Cultural Programme.

Oxford and Canterbury will also receive lottery cash and the three cities will join together to hold events.