A UNIQUE project to find 40 Pendle residents who turn 40 this year is under way as part of Pendle Council’s birthday celebrations.

Anyone born in 1974 is invited to have their picture taken with an object that represents a key moment in their 40 years.

Pendle Council leader Joe Cooney said: “Project Forty @Forty is going to celebrate a number of 40th birthdays.

“We’re marking 40 years since Pendle was established, back in 1974.

“It’s also the date when our borough was first twinned with Creil in France, so Pendle Council is working with Pendle-based arts organisation In-Situ to celebrate Pendle’s 40th year and in collaboration with Creil.”

Paul Hartley, director at In-Situ has also just turned 40. He said: “Photographs, memories and significant objects will be featured in the limited-edition book which will capture the highs and lows of people’s 40th birthday year.

“Turning 40 is one of those milestones in our lives when you reflect back and also set new goals and challenges.

“So I urge people of a 1974 vintage to come and join me at these photo sessions.”

The project is funded by the Arts Council and there will be three photoshoot sessions for people to have their portraits taken.

Students from Nelson and Colne College will also work with photography tutor Mark Tattersall to take the pictures that will be added to the finished product. Pendle sculptor Philippe Handford will be creating a special 40@40 installation made up of photographs and artefacts which people donate to mark their 40th birthday. Philippe’s project will be paid for by funding from Nelson’s Mary Portas project.

He said: “I’ll be creating a piece of artwork which will be installed for a temporary period in Nelson town centre.

“It could be a visual time-line or a unique birthday cake – it really depends on what people bring down and donate to the project.”

Photoshoots will be held on Saturday, August 23 at Colne Library; Saturday, September 13 at Nelson Library; and Sunday, September 21 at Pendle Heritage Centre, all from 11am to 4pm.