LAZY, scruffy and loud - this is one of the stereotypes a group of teenagers are challenging with a new project, announced today.

LAZY, scruffy and loud - this is one of the stereotypes a group of teenagers are challenging with a new project, announced today.

The youngsters have shot a special film determined to try to change their community's perceptions of youth today.

The project will address negative stereotypes of young people and provide a creative outlet for their energy, showing a snippet of real life in the village through a teenager's eyes and highlighting a lack of facilities for the village's youngsters.

The group of Holbrook High students - Josh Ling, Matt Prescott, Sam Cox, Jack Pugh, Josh Mison, Tom Hemsley, Liam Matthews, Becky Taylor and Beth Saxby - all aged between 14 and 15 years old, have called their film 'Shotley Youth News.'

It will be screened on Tuesday, May 26 and the teenagers are hoping it will attract an audience of young people, parents, villagers, community leaders, business people, police officers and youth workers.

Josh Ling, said: “It has been a great experience to take part in this project.

“It's really fun, not just to be able to do something within the community that will benefit future generations, but also to use some really high-tech equipment in the process.”

The project has been funded by Babergh District Council, who helped organise the filming of the documentary, during the February half term and Easter holidays.

Jill Barton, Babergh's community development officer said: “I am amazed at the commitment and enthusiasm of the young people taking part - they are a unique bunch of teenagers who definitely deserve to be heard.

“I hope that the film will have a positive impact in helping the different generations in Shotley to work together in order to take this project forward.”

And Paul Little, Babergh's community safety and leisure manager, said the project could prompt a discussion and action from within the community to provide positive outlets for young people's energies.

The screening will take place at 7pm at Shotley Village Hall and will be followed by an open discussion, 'Building bridges.'

n. Do you think more teenagers should speak out for what they want? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk