BURNLEY could become the public art capital of East Lancashire as part of an ambitious national project which will be screened to the nation.

The borough beat off more than 1,500 competitors to be one of just seven towns and cities across the country to be chosen to take part in Channel 4's Big Art Project.

Originally it was thought that would lead to one new piece of public art being commissioned.

But now those behind the project want to create a feature for the town centre, as well as three other pieces of artwork which will reflect three of the borough's neighbour-hoods, and life in them.

Chris May, director of East Lancashire's Creative Partnerships, which is helping oversee the project, wants to bring together children from Burnley's different ethnic backgrounds in the Burnley Wood, Stoneyholme and Daneshouse areas, which are all in the early stages of regeneration.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the impact of Creative Partnerships on a national stage.

"The project will enable participants to take part in once-in-a-lifetime' experiences, and will hopefully radically improve the nation's perception of Burnley and East Lancashire through the development of ground-breaking creative projects in the public realm."

Helen Knowles, the council's art development officer, said Burnley would be the only place taking part to commission several pieces of artwork.

She said: "Unlike the other Big Art sites around the country, Burnley isn't focusing on a specific site. We are looking at the whole town, with three neighbourhoods to involve."

The project, aimed at prompting debate about public art, will be broadcast by Channel 4 in a series of TV programmes later this year.

Schoolchildren are being asked to put forward ideas for the artworks, and the programmes will follow the communities as they work with curators to select artists, and then go about commissioning and producing the artworks.

The overall project is costing £2million, of which £500,000 is earmarked for Burnley.

The cash is being raised predominately through the British Art Trust (BAT), which is contacting various groups and organisations to try and raise more money, but Burnley Council will be responsible for spending the cash.

BAT has so far raised £250,000. A fundraiser is being held at Towneley Hall on Wednesday to seek sponsorship from local businesses.