ONE of the largest art exhibitions ever seen in Blackburn has been launched at eight venues across town as cultural chiefs try to put the town on the art world map.

The £1million Parallel Realities: Asian Art Now exhibition has been shipped across from the Japanese town of Fukuoka.

But are the people of Blackburn and Darwen bowled over by the exhibits, do they feel they are a waste of money or do local people simply not care?

We asked the first people to see the exhibition for their views.

Most of the visitors to Blackburn's exciting new exhibition were art enthusiasts used to travelling to major cities to follow their hobby and they were overjoyed to find something worth visiting on their doorstep.

However, only time will tell what people without any expertise will make of the unconventional 100-piece array of art from 21 countries.

But, as the works will be displayed until April 9, there is plenty of time for word of mouth or curiosity to attract the general public to some of the eight venues across town.

The exhibition, first spotted by Blackburn Museum curator Paul Flintoff during a holiday in 2003, is made up of works of art from across Asia which were assembled in Fukuoka and Blackburn regeneration chiefs now hope they will attract more people to the town.

The displays which includes digital art, sculpture, games, comic strips, photography, film, painting and craft have been attracting visitors from across the globe.

Now, using a £1million fund which came from the Lottery-funded Millennium Commission, regeneration grants and council coffers Blackburn with Darwen Council has brought it to East Lancashire.

It is the first time the collection has left Japan and the displays have been split up around various sites, including Blackburn Museum, Ewood Park, Blackburn Visitor Centre, Blackburn Cathedral and the old Halifax Building Society office in Lord Square.

The exhibition will be the focal point of the year-long C21 project, which has celebrated art throughout in Blackburn since May.

And the art enthusiasts from day one certainly gave the exhibition a glowing reference.

Alex Martindale, a 25-year-old software development manager from Wensley Fold, Blackburn, said: "It is very exciting.

"I usually go to galleries in Manchester and it is really good that an exhibition of this scale has come to Blackburn.

"I have been very impressed by the exhibition."

Ismail Ib Patel, 64, of London Road, Blackburn, who is the chairman of the Gujarati Writers' Association, said: "I am delighted to see this here.

"It is a very good exhibition. I think most people of the community who come here will be very pleased by what they see."

Mirvat Basma, 33, of Accrington Road, Blackburn, is a painter herself.

She said: "It is very unusual and interesting.

"I have been very interested to be able to look at the pieces and share the artists' thoughts and expressions.

"It is good for the public, especially the young children who are moving away from really beautiful things, to be able see things like this."

Another artist, Dominic Cooper, 45, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, added: "I have been very impressed.

"It is very interesting to see what artists from the other side of the world think.

"I think we need more of these sorts of exhibitions in Blackburn. It really puts the town of the map."

Shirley Parker, of Preston Old Road, Blackburn, who is the treasurer of the town's Kathleen Ferrier Society, said: "It is very different and unusual.

"I like my art quite simple but it is good that a big exhibition like this has come to town."