A LOCAL authority is looking for volunteers to help its conservation and modernisation drive,

New members are being sought to join Hyndburn Council’s Culture and Heritage Investment Panel (CHIP).

The strategic body are inviting new volunteer members to help guide heritage-led investment opportunities in the borough.

Hyndburn hosted a second visit to the borough from Historic England’s ‘Historic Places Panel’ earlier in this year.

The call for new members to the CHIP follows recommendations following this visit.

One was to take steps to ensure that the diverse community of Hyndburn is fully represented in all the panel's future work.

Hyndburn Council are inviting people with a keen interest or previous involvement in heritage, culture and arts projects to get in touch.

They are particularly interested in younger people, and those who will bring new diversity and skills to the team.

Volunteers must be willing to commit to a few hours of their time each month.

Earlier this month Hyndburn Council submitted a bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for £5million to transform Accrington's Market Chambers into an arts, culture and heritage centre.

CHIP chair Lyndsey Sims said: “The panel have achieved a huge amount to date and already some of that excellent work can be seen, with new events and initiatives launching each month.

"The role of the panel is to steer future work, share community insight, bring a range of skills to the table and assist in securing investment and funding opportunities.

“With multi-million-pound projects now taking shape in Hyndburn it’s a really exciting time to get involved.

"The panel have recently had input with a £5million bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and there are many more upcoming projects.”