A BARN once used to stable shire horses has been converted into a community arts and crafts centre at Hope Carr Nature Reserve, Leigh.

North West Water, who own the site, is to offer six newly-qualified artists the free use of studios in return for their help in running the centre (pictured) for community benefit.

Besides the six studios the £150,000 development includes a meeting room, gallery, toilet facilities for the disabled and a bedsit for one live-in artist, who will act as co-ordinator for the centre's activities.

The artists will be chosen to provide a wide range of creative arts and crafts and can occupy a rent-free studio for upto three years.

All will provide their own equipment and donate part of the working week to organising events such as open days and community workshops, where people of all ages can obtain first hand advice.

Jayne Clarke, one of the company's environmental classroom teachers who is co-ordinating the project for NWW, said: "We regard these studios as starter units and a shop window for artists fresh out of college and seeking to establish themselves.

"It is not just painters and sculptors - we are looking for a good mix of people working in jewellery, leather, textiles, pottery and glasswork."

The barn was part of an old sewage farm complex used many years ago by the local sewage board.

North West Water began to create the nature reserve in 1989. It includes thriving wildlife and wetlands habitats used in conjunction with an en vironmental education centre next to the studios.

Converted from another, larger barn, the education centre opened in 1996 and is a valuable resource for schools throughout the area. Pupils learn about the water cycle and its part in the environment.

Artists who are interested in the offer can contact Jayne on 01257 427875.

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