EARLY medieval woodlands and Victorian mills in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are the focus of a new £150,000 lottery bid.

The former hunting grounds of the Plantagenets in the forests of Pendle, Bowland and Rossendale are the keys to a project dreamed up by arts officers across East Lancashire.

Historians want to explore the links between the area’s traditional woodlands, natural cures and the industrial development of the region, paying special attention to the role of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Tentatively-titled Look Again, around £50,000 is being sought from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the remainder being sourced by East Lancashire authorities.

Helen Jones, cultural development manager, said: “Look Again is a project that explores, records and celebrates some of the vast natural heritage that exists within the landscape of Pennine Lancashire.

“The project will encourage people to ‘look again’ at what surrounds them, to explore what is on their doorstep, to learn about the natural and manmade historical events that created the landscape, infrastructure, natural ecology and legends that exist.”

Regeneration work in Burnley is already concentrating on the historic Weavers Triangle, on the banks of the canal, and neighbouring Pendle are supporting efforts to rebuild the former Lob Lane mill in Brierfield.

Council bosses in Burnley will act as the lead authority for the bid, which will enlist the talents of Creativity Works.

The arts organisation staged a series of well-received workshops and activities in St James Street last summer.

Landmarks such as Worsthorne Moor, Pendle Hill and Wycoller Country Park, near Colne, will also be incorporated into the work.