BLACKBURN with Darwen has been selected as a 'priority place' for Arts Council England grants.

Over the next three years the borough will get preferential treatment for cultural investment in the regions.

It opens the way for projects to receive millions of pounds from central funds including the National Lottery, the Creative People and Places fund, a pot of cash to develop music education, and the new government £20m-a-year capital investment allocation for the arts outside London.

It is one 54 priority places across England including 15 in the North, identified in Arts Council England's three-year delivery plan for 2021 to 2024 as part of its10-year 'Lets Create' strategy.

The delivery plan document says: "Blackburn with Darwen has great potential to build on its distinctive cultural heritage, including its historical links to the textile industry, and to address low levels of cultural participation by engaging local communities in new creative opportunities.

"Blackburn with Darwen Council is committed to cultural development with plans to invest in its libraries, theatres and outdoor spaces.

"This will provide opportunities for the area’s innovative cultural organisations - such as Super Slow Way, the National Festival of Making and the British Textile Biennial - to enhance their impact.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, Blackburn with Darwen has received £2,180,884 investment from the Arts Council."

Cllr Mohammed Khan, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We know that having high-quality cultural activity and making the most of our creative talent is an essential ingredient for success in both our borough’s towns.

"Fair investment is sorely needed and we will welcome any opportunities that directly benefit our residents and support our growing cultural infrastructure.

Cllr Damian Talbot, the council's cultural boss, said: "This is an exciting prospect."

Jennifer Cleary, Arts Council England's director for the north said: "I am excited that Blackburn with Darwen is one of our 15 priority places across the north.

"The launch of our delivery plan and the announcement of our priority places will see us working closely with partners across Blackburn with Darwen to ensure that creativity and culture can play a key role in levelling up.

"Public investment in the arts is vital and never more so than as we emerge from the pandemic.

"It is brilliant to see the commitment of Blackburn with Darwen Council to its cultural sector.

"Over the past couple of years the presence of culture has grown, as demonstrated by the success of the National Textile Biennial and the Festival of Making.