YOUNG film makers are to be given the chance to view their handiwork at a big screen showing.

In a holiday scheme, youngsters in east Durham have been transformed into directors, actors and technicians.

The Schools Out for Summer project has been funded by the National Lottery and organised by Durham Local Education Authority.

One of a number of holiday initiatives, the summer scheme has included 12 separate ventures, including a mini archaeological dig at Coxhoe Hall.

The filming project was based at two centres in Peterlee, at Dene Community School of Technology and Shotton Hall School.

At Dene Community School those taking part made four themed fictional films, and at Shotton Hall the camera concentrated on documentaries featuring the problem of drugs abuse.

Project coordinator Holly Watson, of the Tyneside Cinema, described how the young film makers had been taught about camera and lighting work, acting, interview techniques and producing and directing.

The project, she said, had been a great success and the next step would be to edit the work which had been produced.

The real treat for the junior cinematographers will come when the results of their hard work are screened at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle's Pilgrim Street later this year.