THE Barrow’s Beautiful Places initiative is set to return this year as a three-day festival.

The festival will run from April 3 to April 5 and will include art exhibitions in the town hall as well as guided walks around spots of historical importance as part of this year’s offering.

Previously a one-day event held at the Forum, Barrow’s Beautiful Places aims to celebrate the town’s overlooked gems, including its landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage.

Among the new offerings this year is artwork from various schools inspired by Barrow’s ‘beauty spots’. The festival is being co-ordinated by artist Danielle Chappell Aspinwall.

The initiative is the brainchild of Cllr Helen Wall, current deputy mayor of the town. April’s festival will take place just before Cllr Wall begins her role as town mayor in May.

She said the festival dovetails many of the issues she is 'passionate' about and will look to champion during her tenure as town mayor - the arts and conservation, in particular.

“Originally I just did it as a one-off thing," she said. "But then all of a sudden everyone started asking me about the following year’s instalment. So it seemed I was roped in from there on in.

“I still have a lot of other ideas that could fit in with the ethos of Barrow’s Beautiful Places. And I welcome any contributions from Barrovians.”

Colin Garnett, Barrow Business Improvement District's manager, said: “The festival is a great opportunity to promote the fantastic assets Barrow has to offer. We have an outstanding coastline offering a wealth of nature, wildlife and heritage. We aim to attract day visitors to the town during the festival in the hope that they will learn more about the beauty of Barrow and return.”