HIGH quality crafts will be on sale at Rossendale's Tourist Information Centre in the run-up to Christmas, thanks to a new collaboration with Clitheroe's award-winning Platform Gallery Craft Centre.

The newly-refurbished Information Centre on Kay Street, Rawtenstall, is being launched this week with a display of Christmas gifts not previously available in the Valley.

Elaine Walsh, Rossendale Borough Council's Arts Development Officer, developed the Platform Gallery into a regional craft centre when she worked in the Ribble Valley.

Now working in Rossendale, she saw the potential of the newly-refurbished Information Centre as an outlet for artwork made in the North West.

She said: "The Platform is purely an exhibition gallery and over the past few years it has built a reputation for its Christmas Crafts Show.

"Rossendale's Tourist Office is smaller and concentrates on providing information but it can also provide an opportunity to showcase local and regional talent.

"We hope that a selection of reasonably-priced quality crafts from artists showing at the Platform will add interest to the Rossendale Centre and provide a new opportunity for Valley shoppers. Hopefully in the future we can also offer local artists an outlet."

Work will include jewellery by Sue Shaw, appointed silk scarves by Joanne Eddon, ceramics from Don Glanville and Kelbrook Pottery and woodturning by William Poole.