MAJOR plans to get people more involved in sport and the arts have been unveiled by council top brass.

Burnley Borough Council has come up with a strategy which it says could lead to more local residents getting involved in art or sport.

Draft measures to rejuvenate sport and the arts were agreed by the borough council's executive at its meeting on Tuesday.

In its strategy plan, the council says it will hold fairs and festivals to promote pastimes, while staging public works of art to encourage more people to get involved.

Councillors have also pledged to back local clubs and associations --although they are not promising extra funding to help the groups.

Clubs, groups and young people took part in consultation earlier this year and the ideas and information they put forward have been used to draw up the initial council plans.

Head of leisure Gerard Vinton said: "The borough of Burnley needs to produce a strategy which promotes the health benefits of sport and physical activity.

"Systems also need to be in place to introduce young people to a wide range of sports and activities early on in their lives as this encourages them to stay in sport for life.

"Burnley needs to identify some clear aims and objectives to encourage greater participation by all residents."

To boost the arts, the council wants to appoint an arts development officer. That officer would also have to set up a forum where the council, voluntary arts groups and other agencies could swap ideas.

For developing the arts, community festivals, street theatre and displays of art work in public spaces form some of the ideas.

The proposals for sport include encouraging schools to promote the benefits of sport to children and giving more people access to sporting facilities.

Council chiefs also want sporting activities to strengthen links between communities. Now the council is looking to try and consult groups who would not normally be involved in sporting, or art, circles before the strategy goes back before councillors.

A steering group is likely to be formed for each area to oversee how the measures in the plans can be put in place.

Any resident who would like a copy of either of the draft strategies, or wants to get involved in the consultation process, can call Gerard Vinton on 01282 664444.