This is good news for everyone who cares about the future of the arts in this country

Peter Hewitt, Arts Council of England

Gerry Robinson, the chairman of the Arts Council, said the re-structuring was the "logical and sensible way to create a much simpler, quicker system".

He said it would be "more responsive and more effective in providing a service to artists, arts organisations and arts audiences".

The plans will be implemented from July this year and have the broad approval of the government.

But they are unlikely to win support from the opposition - the Conservatives have pledged to scrap the Arts Council if it wins power.

'Major opportunities'

Stuart Timperley, chair of the English Regional Arts Boards, said: "The proposed new arrangements offer significant national advantages and also, most importantly, major opportunities to serve the arts in the regions more effectively in the future."

Currently, the 10 Regional Arts Boards are separate organisations with their own chairman, board and staff.

The Ats Council funds projects such as the Angel of the North

Mr Robinson said he wanted to simplify the current arts funding system and to "lever yet more funding for the arts from government and other sources".

The Arts Council has already secured an extra �100m funding from the government with �25m of that allocated to regional theatres.

In 2001/2 the Arts Council will distribute about �252m of government money to the arts.

Peter Hewitt, chief executive of the Arts Council of England said: "For the first time in many years there will be a single body speaking for all the arts in England.

"This is good news for everyone who cares about the future of the arts in this country."

Separate Arts Councils are in charge of funding projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.