YOUNG County Durham carers have been transformed into video stars after taking part in a year-long arts project aimed at developing creative ideas about their lives.

Orchard Young Carers scheme is based in Chester-le-Street, but works with young carers all over the Derwentside and Easington areas. Last year, the scheme selected 81 young carers aged up to 17 - the youngest being seven.

They were each put forward to take part in Reeltime, an arts and multimedia project for young people using Barnardo's services across the region and 12 were chosen.

Over a three-day residential camp in the Lake District, the young people were introduced to the Reeltime crew and set about putting music, songs, rap and photography together for the video, based on issues which were important to their lives.

A major issue which emerged from the youngsters was how they all believed schools should be more supportive of them.

Maureen Wales, Barnardo's North-East participation worker, said: "The young people said getting school work in on time could be a problem for them with their caring responsibilities, but that their schools were not terribly understanding of that.''

The video was given its first showing at Barnardo's annual meeting last week in London. The film will now be taken into Easington and Derwentside schools.