A national figure in arts and culture believes Cumbria is one of the "most exciting and creative places" in the country - but more must be done to help locals appreciate what is on their doorstep.

Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, says awareness about the county's "unique" offering must be raised.

He believes young artists developing their skills in Carlisle could hold the key.

"I think that Cumbria is one of the most exciting and creative places in the country. My message to people who live, work and study in Carlisle is that I don't think you realise how great it is," said Mr Henley.

"There is great infrastructure of arts and culture here and a great higher education institution in the form of the university with a vice chancellor who recognises it can lead the way.

"There is a real desire from the people here to drive that forward and it has been great to take part in lectures where they told me about what they are doing and their ambitions for the future."

He added: "I believe the university and its institution [of the arts] here in Carlisle can really help put Cumbria on the map nationally and internationally."

Cumbria's "natural environmental riches" continues to provide the inspiration and how they should be "blended" with the talents of contemporary artists training locally.

"There are strong economic benefits to investing in arts and culture," he said.

"One of the things about Cumbria is its unique position," continued Mr Henley.

"There are things that you will only find here. We need to get that level of awareness about that up."

Mr Henley believes Tullie House, Carlisle's museum and art gallery, is one of Cumbria's cultural offering and says he was "very impressed" by the Lakes Comic Art Festival in Kendal last year.

"It is bringing something new to the area," he said.

The Comic Art Festival returns to the county for its sixth outing in October.

Mr Henley is on a two-day tour of the county in a visit led by the University of Cumbria.

Today he has been in Carlisle talking to staff, students and arts industry guests at the university's Institute of the Arts, in Brampton Road, Stanwix.

Guests included Conrad Lynch, from Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

Mr Henley also enjoyed a tour of Carlisle's historic quarter - visiting Tullie House, the Old Fire Station, Cumbria's Museum of Military Life and Carlisle Castle - before a networking event attended by 150 guests and dignitaries.

On Friday, he is in Ambleside for a visit to the Armitt Museum and the university's Lake District campus.

Mr Henley will speak alongside local leaders from a range of organisations including the Lake District National Park, Lakeland Arts and the Wordsworth Trust.

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences.

Between 2015 and 2018 it plans to spend £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery on projects across the country.

Locally, it is investing just over £14m into Cumbria. Meanwhile Tullie House is receiving £4.6m over a four-year period.