A THREE-week challenge has been launched to promote the use of parks across East Lancashire.

Artists from across the UK are to work with local community groups to document people enjoying the six green spaces.

The scheme from Creativity Works, will focus on Blackburn’s Corporation Park, Marsden Park in Nelson, Brun Valley Forest Park in Burnley, Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Foxhill Bank nature reserve in Oswaldtwistle and Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Quarry in Clitheroe.

The artists will be working with community groups, holding drop in sessions and having conversations with park users to get a real under-standing of how people think about these spaces.

The artists range from writers and film makers to illustrators and visual artists, and they will be using their own unique skills to document their findings.

The residencies hope to unearth stories, myths and memories from local people who know the area best.

This research will inform the creation of a spectacular new art work to be exhibited in May 2013.

Funded by Arts Council, an international artist will be commissioned to produce a temporary art work that will celebrate the area’s unique and beautiful landscape and bring it to the attention of the nation.

Community groups including Rowley Angling Group, Hyndburn and Blackburn Home Educators Networks, Chimps Child Minding Group and the park keepers and wardens are getting involved in the project.

Lee Johnson, senior park keeper at Marsden Park, said: “We are really excited about being involved in this project and working with artist Orly Orbach. It will offer a new way to see the park and to think that what we unearth will go towards creating a large artwork is really rewarding.”