AN arts group is celebrating its 40th anniversary by staging an exhibition.

Mid Pennine Arts (MPA) was set up in 1966 with the aim to provide high quality performance and visual arts in East Lancashire.

The registered charity also works with schools in Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale providing education workshops and projects.

Gayle Knight from MPA, said: "In 1966 a pioneering enterprise was created.

"It was unique then and 40 years later it still is.

"We have brought performances to smaller venues like Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, Colne Municipal Hall, Accrington Library, Towneley Hall, among many others in each town.

"Mid Pennine Arts still brings artists to these towns and works with 200 schools in East Lancashire providing educational workshops and projects.

MPA is the group behind the popular Mela festivals in the area as well as promoting the Panoptican sculptures, six works of art planned for each of East Lancashire's boroughs.

Now the group is hosting a exhibition at its gallery.

Ms Knight added: "This exhibition gathers some of the artefacts from those four decades.

"It is a fascinating record, not just of one organisation, but of the cultural life of East Lancashire."

The exhibition 40 Years Of Mid-Pennine Arts' will be held at the Yorke Street Gallery, Burnley, from Saturday, July 8 until Saturday, August 12. Call 01282 421986 for more details.