More arts and heritage events promised for North East Lincolnshire

It's hoped more people will visit North East Lincolnshire with the council pledging to continue to offer local arts and heritage events.

If follows last weekend's Viking Festival in Grimsby.

Other local events and activities recently have included The Festival of the Sea and the mural artwork across Grimsby.

We spoke to leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Phillip Jackson about their plans for the arts.

He said: "The Viking Festival weekend which was an absolutely superb weekend."

"Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday - the town centre was "heaving".

"Lots of people around, it was a great event."

"We want to continue to improve on the arts and the heritage offer we've got in the town centre."

"That's all part of making the town centre vibrant and exciting and bringing more people in and enjoying what the town centre has to offer."

"We have made great strides in our arts and culture offer locally in recent years and will continue to do so."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank organisations, such as Arts Council England for their support."

Meanwhile there have been reports North East Lincolnshire was interested in partnering with two other district councils and one city council in Lincolnshire to work up a county City of Culture bid for 2029.

Councillor Jackson said: "“Of course we will watch with interest the progression of any such bid."

"However, the authority here is not in any position to actively take part at this stage."

"I wish to be clear too of the importance that North East Lincolnshire Council puts on considering the whole of Greater Lincolnshire when looking at future partnerships."