A BLUEPRINT is being unveiled to transform England's largest county into a "place of cultural adventure".

It follows the creation last year of the partnership group North Yorkshire Culture, involving all the local authorities, both National Parks and other agencies.

Now it has launched its prospectus at an event at Scarborough Library in the hope of attracting outside funding during the next five years.

The blueprint highlights a number of projects across the county including Scar-borough's own "cultural quarter" and museums redevelopment.

There are also plans to revitalise the Museum Gardens in York, centred around a refurbished Yorkshire Museum, and the possibility of a Discovery Centre in Harrogate, which has been proposed by the county council to make local history and other records more accessible.

Also being planned are schemes to promote opportunities for outdoor adventure, such as the Dalby Forest mountain-biking trails, and to create a co-ordinated programme of events and festivals.

Partnership chairwoman, county councillor Sue Latter, said North Yorkshire Culture wanted to demonstrate the importance of culture to the region and especially to its economic prosperity.

"Culture is about all those things that make life worthwhile," she said.

"We are all aware of the richness of our cultural heritage in York and North Yorkshire. But not everyone fully understands the important role that our rich culture has to play in all the issues facing our area - economic, social and community.

"We want the cultural sector to be at the centre of planning the future in North Yorkshire."

The prospectus has been drawn up to highlight the county's strengths, especially its heritage landscapes, and the opportunities for outdoor adventure, events and festivals.

It will now be sent to all the main funding bodies including the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to help them plan investment in cultural projects.