AN ARTS events company is seeking young people to help with "curating" a series of pop-up events next year.

Deco Publique, the experts behind Morecambe's Vintage by the Sea Festival, hopes to hear from 14 to 21-year-olds who would like to help shape the new cultural programme.

Called The FOLD, it will tour the Lakes and Dales from spring 2020, spending three weeks in three locations, Settle, Bentham and Kendal.

The "pop-up, multi-venue approach" is designed to make the events as accessible as possible to young people living in rural areas with a lack of public transport.

“We want to hear from young people interested in having a say in shaping and curating The FOLD," said Lauren Zawadzki, of Morecambe-based creative company Deco Publique.

"We are doing assemblies in schools and putting out feelers in local areas. We would ideally like six to 12 under-21s to join a steering group in each location to work with a co-design specialist to devise the cultural programme which will take place from spring 2020.”

The events are likely to feature creative activities and workshops from music and making to design and film, as well as activities to boost confidence, such as debating.

They are being commissioned by Great Place: Lakes and Dales (GPLD), a project dedicated to using arts, culture and heritage to encourage more under-35s to settle locally. It is funded by the Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Encouraging debate will empower young people to address local issues such as affordable housing and lack of accessible transport," added Lauren.

"We hope to welcome these kinds of educational elements into The FOLD as well as creative activities and, of course, lots of fun.”

GPLD programme manager Lindsey Hebden said: “The FOLD is an exciting new series of pop ups which young people can shape for themselves, bringing relevant arts, culture and heritage events which resonate with their peer groups into key towns in the Lakes and Dales.”

To get in touch, see www.inthefold.co.uk