AMBITIOUS plans to turn Hyndburn into the festival capital of Lancashire could lead to an extra 45,000 visitors descending on the borough.

The borough council has won a slice of European cash and plans to use it to put on 12 festivals over three years.

Moves to make Hyndburn a magnet for festival-goers follows on from the success of this year's clog dancing and Lancashire food festivals in Accrington.

And the proposed festivals are expected to create more than a dozen seasonal jobs and boost the borough's tourism income by attracting 15,000 visitors a year.

The four festivals' themes are the visual arts, dance, music and Asian culture.

Council chiefs have secured £100,000 to cover the cost with £40,000 part of a successful bid for a share of £4.5 million in European cash handed out in the region. The rest comes from the council and various business and organisations taking part in the festivals. The council plans to use the festivals to give local people the chance to learn new skills, such as developing artistic talent.

As part of the music festival, All Year Round Sound, people would have the chance to use a proposed recording studios at New Era Youth and Community Centre in Accrington.

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