PUPILS in Pendle are taking part in a special event which aims to raise their cultural awareness.

Talkabout takes place at the Burnley Mechanics Theatre at the end of August and has been organised through a partnership between the East Lancashire Excellence in Schools' Cluster and Mid Pennine Arts.

Children will take part in a series of arts activities and will offer a showcase of artists experienced in arts education work for local schools.

Nine artists, writers, children's book illustrators, drama workers and a story teller will be running workshops for children over two days.

They include poets Terry Caffrey, Tony Langham and Ian Bland, illustrators Sean Creagh, Steve Hutton and Vanessa Card, storyteller Alan Sparks, drama workers Craig Harris and Claire Ryan.

The activities continue during the rest of the week with Sikh story-teller Roop Singh and poet David Harmer, who will be based in local secondary schools.

Finally, children and their families who have been involved in the activities will be able to enjoy a show at the Mechanics.