EAST Lancashire MP Peter Pike has urged the government to do more to support art centres and theatres in the area.

The Burnley MP tackled culture minister Kim Howells on the issue demanding to know how much money was going to such bodies in smaller towns in the North West.

Mr Howells replied: "This government have done more to support this arts in this country than any of our predecessors.

"The Arts Council England in the North West will see its overall allocation increase from £20.8million to £28.4million by 2005/6 which is an increase of 37 per cent.

"That new money will benefit a wide range of artists, organisations and communities across the region, including those in Burnley." Mr Pike hit back: "Do you accept, however, that it is important that not only big cities but small non-unitary authorities, such as Burnley, have art centres and theatres?

"We find it difficult to preserve what we have: an excellent theatre, The Mechanics, and the Mid Pennine Art Centre.

"With small budgets, non unitary authority have extreme difficulties in that regard."

Mr Howells replied: "Yes there is a problem and this is often a problem of knowing how to frame bids and having the aspiration to bid in the first place."