PENDLE Council has created its first ever arts strategy to get more of its residents engaged with arts events.

The move comes after a national survey revealed Pendle was among the worst areas in the country for attending art events.

In a bid to get more people involved in the cultural side of the community the council has put together a three-year strategy.

Adam Pearson, of Pendle Council’s research and policy team, said: “Whilst there is a great deal happening in Pendle in terms of entertainment and the arts, the latest engagement figures published by the Arts Council shows that Pendle is in the lowest 20 per cent of local authorities nationally for arts engagement.

“Just 38.3 per cent of respondents had attended an arts event or participated in an arts activity at least three times in the last 12 months.”

In November last year an arts network was formed to develop and deliver a partnership strategy to enhance the entertainment and arts on offer in Pendle. The network has a vision to provide opportunities for residents and visitors to experience and participate in high quality activities, with the aim of Pendle becoming a place where entertainment and arts makes life better for everybody.

Arts and theatre venues in borough include the ACE Centre, Nelson, The Muni, Colne, Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford, and the Rainhall Centre in Barnold-swick.

Mr Pearson said: “This is Pendle’s first ever entertainment and arts strategy, and will run from 2012 to 2015.

“Before developing the strategy an online public survey was carried out to get the views of residents. The results of this survey are detailed in the strategy and have been used to inform the priorities for the action plan.”