A REDDITCH-based arts forum has been set up to co-ordinate the work of several groups in the town.

The group was set up last October and is aiming for a future where the arts is an important part of everyone's agenda.

Meeting once every two months, the forum is made up of representatives from Redditch Council, Worcestershire Racial Equality Council, Redditch Arts Council, Indigo Arts, Kingsley College, Community Festival Arts Event (CAFE) and Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust.

Theatre and arts development manager for Redditch Council, Jonathan Cochrane, said one of the aims of the forum was to make the town more aware of the wide area of art forms available to them.

"Redditch has arts in abundance, from knitting to dance and from singing to circuses," he said.

Forum chairman Chris Hill said the support of such a wide range of arts-focused individuals and organisations would make a visible difference to the arts scene in Redditch.

He said: "It is the combined energy and commitment of all involved that will ultimately help us move towards the delivery of our aims and objectives."

The forum's first funding application was successful with £28,000 being granted by the Children's Fund for children's arts-based activities at St George's and Oak Hill first schools.