STEP inside Russell Clarke's home in Rishton and you could well be forgiven for thinking you had been transported to Tibet.

For Mr Clarke is one of a small group of Buddhists in East Lancashire and he has set up a shrine and Tibetan-style meditation room in his Hermitage Road house.

The 40-year-old graphic designer is a member of the Tushita Buddhist Centre group which meets weekly in Accrington Town Hall, but the group's education co-ordinator Mr Clarke also opens his home for sessions.

His first taste of Buddhism came many years ago because his grandfather was a Buddhist in the 1950s and 60s.

Mr Clarke said: "It was very unusual in those days for people in this country to practice Buddhism.

"When my grandfather died I inherited all his books and became more and more interested in the teachings. It was just a pity that I never really got to talk to him about Buddhism."

Mr Clarke's converted boxroom provides a very small meditation space for only three or four people.

He added: "East Lancashire does not have a permanent Buddhist centre, but we are working towards setting one up. We want to buy another house to create a shrine and centre and, hopefully, encourage more people to take an interest in Buddhism." And Mr Clarke also has ambitions on a more personal level, saying: "I would like to become a fully ordained Buddhist monk eventually but I have a long way to go yet.

"Monks wear red and yellow gowns, shave their heads and take a vow of celibacy and I would be the first for this area."

Steve Baines from the Tushita group said: "We have been operating in East Lancashire for about 10 years, but we are still only a compact group with about 10 regular

members.

"However, we do try to pass on the benefits of Buddhism through various channels and we are planning a series of sessions all over the area next month."

The free public talks will be held on:

Tuesday, September 5, at the Mary Hindle Resource Centre, Bury Road, Haslingden at 7.15pm

Wednesday, September 6, at Blackburn Library at 6.45pm

Thursday, September 7, at Clitheroe Library at 7.15pm

Friday, September 8, at Derwent Hall, George Street, Darwen at 7.30pm

Monday, September 11, at Churchfield House, Church Street, Great Harwood, at 7.30pm

Tuesday, September 12, at Accrington Town Hall at 7.30pm.

The talk will be called 'Three Steps to Happiness ... simple advice for difficult times' and will provide an introduction to meditation and the Buddhist way of life.

Mr Baines said: "Each talk will be beneficial, so anyone interested can attend one or all of the sessions."