FALMOUTH, Penryn, Truro and Redruth are to be transformed into unique public exhibition spaces, as Cornwall prepares to host its first Design Week.

The event at the end of September, will bring together, celebrate and capitalise on the significant and high profile design initiative in the region.

Shops and other public spaces will become public galleries, displaying examples of great design.

This will be complemented by a wider programme of events, including films, talks, tours, debates, lectures and work with schools. In addition Open Studios will enable artists from all over the region to get involved.

Patrick Gottelier, director of the school of design at University College Falmouth (UCF), said: "It is our aspiration that people will experience design in innovative and inspiring ways. We have taken inspiration from the highly respected London Design Festival and Dutch Design Week, both of which are extremely successful and attract thousands of visitors."

The proposals for the week were unveiled at Falmouth's Phoenix Cinema on Friday.

Representatives from a number of organisations heard presentations from Mr Gottelier, Miranda Bird, of the European Region of Culture (EROC), and William Knight, of the London Design Festival.

The partners are Cornwall Design Forum, a network for designers, Dott Cornwall, which runs design-led community engagement projects, UCF and Cornwall Council.

EROC has a five-year plan to harness rural culture and 2010 is the year of design.

Mr Gottelier said the reason for just four areas being picked for the first year to start small and grow over the years.

Sasha Dobrata, creative economy development officer at Cornwall Council, said: "Our aspiration is to make this as big as possible, but we only have a short time this year."

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Design Week should contact the team by March 31 by e-mailing enquiries@cornwalldesignweek.org.uk or visiting www.cornwalldesignweek.org.uk.