PEOPLE whose voluntary work is making a difference to communities in Lancashire are to be championed as part of a regional festival.

From June 1 an eight-day "celebr8" (don't discrimin8) festival is being staged across the North West to celebrating how equality and diversity benefits the region.

The aim of the event, organised by the North West Regional Assembly, is to highlight the positive impact the eight diverse communities race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, age, transgender, faith and beliefs and refugees/emerging communities has on the cultural life and economy in the North West.

The festival will start with a whistle-stop regional tour by the celebr8 Choir who will perform at key city centre sites.

And festival organisers are looking to salute unsung heroes throughout the region who will be named Community Champions.

Those chosen in Lancashire will be people from diverse communities who have made a real and tangible difference to the community through their voluntary work.

There will be a host of other activities and events in Lancashire on themes ranging from music to employment.

Anyone wishing to stage their own event should visit www.celebr8.org or call 0161 8176608.