AN internationally renowed Irish artist is aiming to put his homeland's culture right in the heart of Preston after setting up a new social group.

Martin Cullen, of Holland House Farm, Walton-le-Dale, has established the Irish Foundation after a meeting with city centre bosses to discuss plans for an Irish Gala on the final night of the Preston City International Festival, planned for June this year.

The artist, who has been painting professionally for 20 years, is on a mission to promote all aspects of Irish heritage and culture, taking inspiration from his American/Irish counterparts across the Atlantic.

And he has big plans on twinning Preston with an Irish city or town and to arrange trips for people to experience Irish culture first-hand.

"People were saying they wanted representatives from every culture to take part in the festival and someone suddenly asked, 'what about the Irish?'" said Martin.

"It emerged there wasn't any real representative for the whole Irish community, unlike other cultures, so I decided to try to kick-start the foundation to get people more involved."

And the father-of-one has already secured famous Irish poet, Gagriel Rosenburg, and traditional music band Fresh Eire to perform at the Irish gala, at Preston docklands, on June 19, in conjunction with the Maritime Festival.

Martin, who hails from Rathdrum, County Witlow, made famous by the popular television show, Ballykissangel, came to Preston ten years ago when he married his wife, Ann.

He specialises in Irish Mythic Art and many of his pieces have appeared in galleries across America.

"There is a very active Irish community in America and I would love to get that going in Preston," he said.

Now Martin's plans have won the backing of Irish locals. Paul Daly, landlord of popular Irish haunt, The Railway Inn, Butler Street, Preston, which holds traditional Irish nights, has praised the initiative.

"The foundation is a great idea," said Mr Daly. "It's time that the country was recognised for everything about its heritage rather than just its music and, hopefully, this venture will help."