MORE than £10,000 has been invested to bring three major art projects to Bolton.

The North West Arts Board and the National Lottery is funding the schemes as part of Year of the Artist, which begins in June.

The projects will take place at Bolton Institute, Step By Step drop-in centre and at the former blind school on Marsden Road.

There will also be an arts scheme at Bury Market costing a further £4,300.

Throughout the North West more than £460,000 has been given towards various artistic projects. Chair of the North West Arts Board, Tony Bloxham, said: "I believe passionately that the arts have not only the ability to enrich the lives of individuals but to enrich the North West as a whole and to encourage people to work, live and invest here."

Bolton Institute has landed a grant of £3,500 for a project which will involve a writer in residence working with local volunteers to write a play for the stage. The play - called "One Hundred Years in Worktown" - will be a documentary drama based on the lives of local people. The former blind school on Marsden Road has also been given a £3,500 grant to transform the building into an arena of colour. Artsist Hafiza Mohamed, from Great Lever, will work with three community groups, including homeless and anti-bullying, to design a textile work which will be exhibited in the building.

Finally at the Step By Step drop-in centre, visual artist Carol Anne Snowcroft will hold workshops to explore themes of self image and how we perceive other, through a series of portraits. The centre helps people overcome problems with drugs and alcohol.

Year of the Artist begins on 1 June and lasts for 12 months.

The organisers say it offers a unique opportunity for both artists and audiences to come out of their theatres and studios and into town centre community.