A GROUP that wants to develop Swindon's creative and cultural life in town has launched.

The Creative Swindon Network, which is made up of organisations, community groups and individuals, aims to design new art projects.

Co-ordinator Hannah Parry said: “The idea came from the opportunity to submit an application for Arts Council funding specifically for towns that it classed as having limited arts engagement.

“We had so much interest from people wanting to be part of potential projects. Well over 100 local people came to meetings to talk about what they’d like to see happen.

“Unfortunately, there was a really short time to the application deadline and there wasn’t time to get a bid together.

“We realised that although we weren’t ready for that bid, what would help us next time was creating a network and to start small projects and building skills and relationships.”

The group launched as part of the the Spring Festival at Swindon Arts Centre.

It has already attracted support from hundreds of individuals, arts organisations and groups including Swindon Libraries, Swindon Artswords and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust.

Member Allie Brown added: “It’s a really informal group and anyone is welcome. The most common complaint about Swindon is that nothing happens here.

“You don’t need to be a professional artist or fantastically talented. You might think you have no creative skills at all, which is fine.”

The group meets once every three months and the next meeting is on May 20 at Swindon Library.