Manchester has signed a 'cultural agreement' with two Danish cities with a focus on arts and health, young people and urban development and design.

The agreement with Aarhus and Aalborg will promote better opportunities for cultural exchange and connections in the music, theatre arts, design and crafts, according to the city council.

It was formalised during a visit to Denmark last week by a 'cultural contingent' from Manchester.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the three cities by Luthfur Rahman, Manchester's executive member for schools, culture and leisure, Mads Duedahl, deputy mayor for health and culture, Aalborg, and Rabih Azad-Ahmad, deputy mayor for culture and citizen service, Aarhus.

Denmark's minister of culture Mette Bock also attended the signing along with representatives from Arts Council England and the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces.

Cllr Rahman said: 'Manchester is known across the world as a city that values culture and recognises the benefits to people and place of investing in it.

'We also value the many links we have with other countries and cities outside the UK, and see clearly the benefits that working in partnership with them brings.

'Now more than ever we're determined to strengthen these ties where we can, and we're excited about the benefits this unique cultural agreement we've now got with the Danish cities of Aalborg and Aarhus will bring.'