A LACK of funding has resulted in the closure of an arts project that helps people in West Craven and the surrounding areas.

Arts on Prescription, which is managed and operated by Pendle Leisure Trust, will no longer be able to offer the scheme in Pendle, Burnley and the Ribble Valley due to changes made by Lancashire County Council and the end of Target Wellbeing funding.

The trust’s arts development team expressed concern about the decision's impact on vulnerable people.

Kirsty Rose Parker, Pendle Leisure Trust’s arts development manager, said: “Target Wellbeing came to an end in May and this has left us with a £30,000 annual deficit.

"Therefore, we have had to make the difficult decision to cease providing this popular and successful programme.

"In the past few years, we have worked with about 250 individuals each year, and it is hard to think of what will happen to them in the future."

Arts on Prescription provided art courses free of charge to adults suffering from depression, anxiety, isolation and low self-esteem. Courses included crafts, drawing, painting, creative writing, cookery, cake baking and textiles.

People were not asked their reasons for attending, but were encouraged to set themselves goals to achieve during the courses, which led to them meeting new friends, gaining confidence and learning new skills.