CHILDREN and parents from the NCH Sure Start South West Burnley Children's Centre have created a willow den in the centre's garden.

The creation was part of a series of workshops during the half term, with local willow artist Stephen Thompson.

The den is made out of living willow and will be a lasting structure for the children to play and have story-telling in during the summer months.

The workshops are part of an art scheme called the Tay Street Trail' which has been running since Summer 2006.

The scheme, a partnership between NCH South West Burnley Children's Centre and Action Factory Community Arts, has also seen young people working on a foot-shaped bench and a banner to hang in the foyer of the Children's Centre.

The project was inspired by an awareness of how arts activity can be used to develop a sense of belonging in an area of change.

Sylvia Godfrey, NCH Community Development Manager, felt that arts could be used as a tool for engaging the local community.

She said: "Parents and children have enjoyed working together to create beautiful pieces of art which they and the community can feel proud of. Using the arts is a fantastic way of working; it allows people to express themselves in new and creative ways."

The project has been funded by Arts Council England: North West with additional help from Burnley Borough Council.