BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has paid tribute to the work of the town's youth theatre and religious groups in trying to heal the wounds of the disturbances a year ago.

He has called on the Arts Council to visit the town and meet members of Burnley Youth Theatre to ensure it receives a grant from the National Lottery to continue its work in reconciling the town's local communities.

Mr Pike specifically praised the Building Bridges project launched between the Christian and Muslim communities in Burnley at St Andrew's Church in the town on Sunday.

He said it was vital to pull all the people of any faith and no faith together to make Burnley a place to be proud to live in.

Mr Pike highlighted the work of the churches and of Burnley Borough Council, Lancashire County and the police and others in a Commons Motion.

And he tackled Lottery minister Kim Howells on the need to recognise the work of Burnley Youth Theatre.

He said that the theatre had done "tremendous work locally to bring the community together" as shown by last week's Artspeak at Burnley Mechanics Institute.

Dr Howells said he would refer Mr Pike's request onto his ministerial colleagues in charge of the Lottery fund.