AN international artist -- probably best known for creating Milton Keynes' "concrete cows" 23 years ago -- is currently working on a project at Rawtenstall school Tor View.

Liz Leyh, who has known Bob Frith, Horse + Bamboo Theatre Company's artistic director for many years, decided to work in Rossendale after discussions with her long-time friend.

Her visit was brought about because for part of the year Liz works for an American-based charitable trust who pay all her expenses to work on an art based project anywhere in the world, once a year.

Liz is working on creating a special puppet booth with the Tor View students which will be displayed as part of Horse + Bamboo's annual puppet festival, PUPPETsense.

The booth will initially be displayed at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, after which it will tour local schools as part of a smaller exhibition.

Horse + Bamboo has a weekend of puppetry fun lined up for Rossendale visitors and residents with PUPPETsense 2002 taking place on May 24, 25 and 26.

There will be free family puppet-making workshops at Horse + Bamboo on Saturday and Sunday between 12 noon and 1.30pm and all are welcome.

There will be free street performances in Rawtenstall and Bacup, as Punch & Judy, Via-Samba and Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre perform their latest shows and music.

PUPPETsense 2002 also has professional international and national theatre companies performing at the Horse + Bamboo Theatre, with French company Access L'air performing 'Aprs La Pluie' (after the rain) on Friday, May 24 at 7.30pm; UK based Freehand Theatre performing 'Tales From A Treehouse' on Saturday, May 25 at 3pm; Live Puppets Theatre Company performing 'Heer Ranjha' on Saturday at 7.30pm and Lempen Puppet Theatre will be performing 'Last Of the Trolls' at 3pm on Sunday.

All the shows are aimed at a family audience. Tickets, £3 adults, £2 children and £8 family ticket (two adults, up to three children) are available from Horse + Bamboo Theatre on 01706 220241.