CULTURE will play a vital role in regenerating parts of Preston according to Lancashire County Council's cultural strategy.

According to the strategy the city is ranked among the most deprived in the country the national index of multiple deprivation.

But the glossy 31-page strategy highlights Preston for how it plans to incorporate "exciting new cultural developments" into the transformation of the Tithebarn area.

The Harris Library, Preston North End FC and the Tithebarn project are other jewels in the county's cultural crown along with the annual Caribbean Carnival and Worden Park, Leyland.

The strategy, titled Cultural Matters details the county's cultural attractions and activities in arts, sports, tourism, creative industries, countryside, museums and libraries. It also looks at plans for the future of Lancashire's cultural landscape.

It highlights the role culture plays in regeneration, both in economic development and within community cohesion. Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council have been involved in producing the document.

It is hoped the document, which has been submitted to the Government's Department for Media Culture and Sport, will help attract the same level of cultural investment that has been seen in the nearby cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

County Council Leader, Councillor Hazel Harding, said: "Lancashire is one of the most important areas for culture in the world.

"We often hear about the cultural achievements of Liverpool and Manchester, but now it's Lancashire's turn. People here care about culture because it makes a difference in their lives and helps to bind communities together."

The county's strong cultural industry and the considerable number of jobs which have been generated by it are also emphasised in the strategy including 52,300 jobs in tourism alone.