FILMING companies are urged to visit a giant scuplture trail in the Pennines in a bid to get the region on the map.

The prestigious accolade of Filming Location of The Month has been awarded to the Irwell Sculpture Trail in recognition of the collection of public art.

Together with a collection of other hidden gems in thes Rossendale Valley, the sculpture trail will now be marketed to film and TV production companies in a bid to bring more filming to the region.

As one of the largest public art projects in the country, the six-mile long stretch of the Rossendale section of the sculpture trail first appeared in 1987.

Lynda Banister, film officer at Vision and Media, said: "Everyone knows Lancashire as an area made famous for its textile industries, down to earth folk and quirky traditions.

"Rossendale has lots of other things to offer, too, which is why it's now ready to welcome a new generation of visitors - film crews.

"Rossendale is uniquely positioned to offer both rural and urban landscapes.

"The stunning giant sculpture trail is visible for miles, then there's all the museums we have to offer, together with traditional settings echoing the area's industrial past. For filmmakers, there really is so much to offer.

"Although Rossendale is no stranger to the limelight, as we've had a number of productions filming in the past, Vision and Media felt the time was right to showcase the area's many talents once more."