A SERIES of high-profile events are being put together in Worcester next year to boost the city's economy and pull in more tourists.

Worcester City Council is set to use up to £100,000 of taxpayers' cash to fund a raft of events from the spring.

The funding pot, earmarked by the council's Conservative leadership, will focus on making sure Worcester's sporting and cultural heritage is marked properly in 2015.

Some of the early suggestions include:

- A definite commitment to fund a repeat of the City 10K race, which brought thousands of people into Worcester back in September to see the likes of legend Paula Radcliffe compete

- Some kind of event to mark the 800 years of the Magna Carta, drawing on Worcester's unique history

- An event to salute 50 years of the Swan Theatre

- Some kind of bash to mark the 150th anniversary of Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Under the plan, the city council would offer grant packages towards each event, which would be topped up by other funding.

The council says the "major events" fund would make sure the city builds on 2014, which went down as a period when Worcester built on its growing reputation for high-profile celebrations of sport and the arts.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: "This is about putting money into events that help put Worcester on the map and build upon what the city has to offer.

"There's a lot going on next year and we want to make sure can offer real support to help the city's profile."

Chris Jaeger, chief executive of Worcester Live which runs the Swan Theatre, said: "It sounds fantastic news, the city council has always been very supportive of the arts.

"The fact is, anything which helps out in these difficult times is very welcome.

"The recession may be over but it isn't in terms of people watching their pockets, when people are worried about things like jobs, entertainment is one of the first things that goes out the window.

"But the council has always been very supportive - we are doing a lot to mark our anniversary next year and this is brilliant news."

The kitty, which will be from £50,000 up to £100,000, is part of the Conservative leadership's 2015/16 budget due to be voted on in February.