A COUNTY-wide dementia strategy has been drafted by County Hall.

Lancashire County Council is consulting public authorities, community groups, carers and people aged over 65, on the council's planned dementia strategy.

The strategy outlines the county council's vision to make a positive difference to the lives of people with dementia in Lancashire.

It is estimated that there are 15,500 people currently living with dementia across Lancashire, of which 63% are female, and as a result of population growth in the older age groups, this will continue to increase, a council spokesman said.

The council wants to take action to reduce dementia rates in Lancashire by training friends and champions to disseminate the dementia risk and hold dementia health information campaigns each year.

It aims to facilitate the development of a dementia friendly Lancashire to support prevention, awareness, early detection and support for people with dementia, in partnership with other organisations.

Organisations have now been asked for their views on the strategy and feedback will be taken account of and where appropriate, changes made to the strategy.

County Councillor Graham Gooch, cabinet member for adult services, said: "There are over 15,000 people currently living with dementia in Lancashire and this figure is forecast to increase to more than 21,000 by 2025.

"Dementia is an important issue and the draft dementia strategy for Lancashire sets out how we'll work closely with other organisations to address it.

"The strategy includes details of how we intend to raise awareness of dementia, improve early detection so people can access treatment sooner and support people living with the condition.

"It's important that we give Lancashire residents and organisations who support people with dementia the chance to share their views, so we're running a consultation which ends on Wednesday 28 February.

"We will consider these views before the strategy is finalised and sent to cabinet for its approval."

The council aims to have the strategy agreed by April 2018, which will be published on their web pages. The consultation, which started on January 30, will run until February 28.

To send feedback email Natalie.Burfitt@lancashire.gov.uk