East Anglia has appointed an industry-led taskforce to map out the future of creative industries in the East of England. The main aim is to look at how the city can act as a leader in building a 'scene' and an industry that can compete on a national and international stage.

Creative industries in the East of England are growing by 17% per year - well above the national average - and employ more than 145,000 people. The event is being organised by the East of England Development Agency's Creative Industries Sector Group.

GrahamCreelman, managing director of Anglia TV and chairman of the sector group, said: "There was a time when creative industries were seen as a peripheral area of business. Now they're a key driver in the 'knowledge economy'."

Norwich creative firms include Imago Productions, an established supplier of factual entertainment, lifestyle and documentary programmes to international and UK broadcast markets.

Paddy Burns, director of commercial and business affairs at Imago Productions, said: "Norwich is small enough for the television companies to know each other, and Imago is actively encouraging improved collaboration between the television companies in areas where we have common but not competing interests.

"We would like to see a dedicated media centre developed for the city as a focal point for the creative businesses, which would also raise the creative profile of Norwich nationally."

In July 2004, more than 160 people attended Norfolk's first Creative Industries Convention. Held in Norwich and organised by Shaping the Future, the event included the launch of a website www.creativenorfolk.com.