THE Dukes is celebrating three years of its pioneering work for people with dementia by staging a major two-day festival.

Staged at the Lancaster theatre from May 17-18, among the guest speakers at Creative Adventures in Dementia will be former Emmerdale star, John Middleton who won awards and much praise for his portrayal of Ashley Thomas, a vicar with dementia.

John learned much about what it's like to live with dementia while playing the role and will talk about his experience on the Thursday, May 17.

The festival will show how The Dukes A Life More Ordinary project has touched the lives of people living with dementia, their friends and families.

It will also provide opportunities to share and discover some of the groundbreaking ways that the arts help in the better understanding of dementia.

The event includes keynote speakers, performances and workshops by some of the most pioneering artists, practitioners, researchers and extraordinary people, working collaboratively with people with dementia, in a variety of unique ways.

Meanwhile, a photographic exhibition reflecting on three years of A Life More Ordinary at The Dukes and at some of the 15 venues it has been rolled out to nationwide is running at the theatre's gallery until May 19.

Box office 01524-598501.