BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has urged government Ministers to find the cash to ensure a future for local theatres such as Burnley Mechanics.

The Labour backbencher pressed Culture Minister Richard Caborn on the issue in the Commons this week.

He was responding to an announcement that as a result of the theatre review the Arts Council England have increased investment in regional theatres by 72 per cent for the period from 2000 to 2004.

Mr Pike asked Mr Caborn: "Do you agree that as well as regional theatre we need to go down to local theatre to ensure that amateur and professional theatres, such as the Mechanics theatre in Burnley, survive? There is a link between local theatre and regional - and ultimately, national - theatre production."

Mr Caborn replied: "I cannot answer your specific question. I know that you will write to me. The 72 per cent increase in investment is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about children and young people, diversity and, probably more important than anything, new writers."

Afterwards Mr Pike said: "The increase in the arts is good news, as is the commitment to investing in the future of the theatre through focusing on young people, diversity and encouraging new writers.

"I will be writing to the Minister to follow up my comments. Burnley has always had a proud record of involvement in the arts"