The arts are alive and happening in Rochford district, but they need to be publicised and encouraged, creative minds have told the council.

Representatives from the Eastern Arts Board and Rochford District Council met with arts groups as part of a new strategy to develop the arts in the district.

The meeting marked the start of an audit into activities taking place over the summer, which aims to identify interest and needs in the arts locally.

Rochford District Council's leisure client officer, Eva McIlwaine, said the focus groups would be formed as a result of the meeting.

She said: "We are going to develop more fully some of the ideas that came out of the meeting, and some of the needs of the district.

"The Eastern Arts Board will give the council £5,000 a year over the next three years to develop and publicise the arts in the district."

She said the consensus of the meeting was there were a lot of arts activities going on in the area, but no-one knew about them.

The meeting was attended by representatives of artistic groups in Southend including the Hockley and District Royal British Legion Pipe Band, Rochford Youth Arts and Rayleigh Operatic and Dramatic Society.

They identified the need for properly equipped performance spaces, affordable exhibition and rehearsal spaces and arts programmes for the whole district to include more activities in rural areas and opportunities for young people.

The meeting also agreed to focus on providing better information and knowledge of local arts groups and resources.

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