YOUNG people could follow in the footsteps of rock stars like Badly Drawn Boy when an exciting project gets under way.

Bolton Council's five-year Arts Action Plan wants to find talented creative people in the town, like Breightmet singer-songwriter Damon Gough -- better known as Badly Drawn Boy, by making it easier for them to become involved in cultural activities.

Sites could be located across the borough where people of all ages could enjoy activities such as music or painting. There are also plans to transform vacant or derelict town centre buildings into art shops where people could exhibit and sell their work.

The scheme could also see doctors "prescribing" arts activities, such as dance classes, for patients in the same way they recommend a sport activity to patients to help with their general health.

The plan, which sets out the future of the arts in Bolton, includes proposals which could see the Albert Halls undergo a major refurbishment and the library, museum and arts areas being extended within the Le Mans Crescent complex.

Tony Hughes, the council's principal arts officer, said: "We are aware that there are some premises in Bolton that have been empty for some time.

"We are looking to see whether there is an opportunity to provide relatively quickly space for artists to exhibit and sell their work."

Progress has been made already to encourage Bolton's artistic community. Twelve apartments in Palace Court, on the edge of the town centre, were opened in November where artists, artisans and other home workers can live and work from home.

The five-year plan also calls for more high profile public arts in the town centre, and it is hoped that developing the arts will make Bolton a more attractive place for visitors and businesses.

A range of people with an interest in the arts helped to prepare the plan, such as members of the local amateur theatre, people who go to arts events and council staff.