NEWLY-REVEALED attractions at Blackburn’s National Festival of Making next month range from film making through virtual reality games to embroideries of the town’s landmarks.

TV ‘Sewing Bee’ judge and Community Clothing boss Patrick Grant has appealed for help in making his ‘community quilt'.

Leicestershire textile artist Wendy Doughty will bring special embroideries of Blackburn Cathedral and King George’s Hall.

They will on sale at a special ‘craft and makers’ market and workshops at the King George's to mark the first-ever such event on May 6 and 7.

Visitors will be offered the opportunity to play a unique digital treasure hunt wearing the latest ‘virtual reality’ headsets.

They will explore Blackburn Cathedral, recreated down to the millimetre in 3D. Virtual clues will give an insight into its 1,400 year history.

Festival audiences will be able to enjoy Real to Reel at The Bureau on both evenings with a selection of film premieres, including Blackburn director Aaron Dunleavy’s ‘We Take Them and We Make Them’ made with Blackburn Youth Zone.

It was nspired by the town’s world-famous cinema pioneers Mitchell and Kenyon.

They will get the chance to take part in an learn about the film making process.

Mr Grant has invited people to come to a workshop at his Community Clothing Company shop in Lord Street West bringing their own piece of fabric to help sew a block of the festival’s collaborative quilt.

Elena Gifford, festival co-director, said: “One of the main aims is to inspire people to find out what aspects of making they could be good at and enjoy having a go.

“The range of workshops shows there’s going to be something in for everyone.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Cllr Mohammed Khan said: “This is a really important event for the borough.

“I am really pleased to see arrangements are going so well.”

The former Cotton Exchange will stage a public opening for a series of guided hard-hat tours.