CHILDREN previously divided by a fierce rivalry between two estates have united to tackle gun and knife crime.

Violence has often erupted between teenagers on Cathall and Avenue estates in Leytonstone.

But now a new youth project has seen children from both estates come together to produce posters and a short film challenging violent street culture.

The project, run by charity Catch 22, was set up in the wake of the murder of 14-year-old Paul Erhahon in Cathall in 2007 and is aimed at helping young people seen as being in danger of getting caught up in gang culture.

Three teenagers from each estate were brought together and each group initially did not know where the other lived in an attempt to tackle preconceptions.

The posters were produced after the truth was revealed and included images such as a masked youth and a body outline altered to look like a hopscotch game.

They featured slogans including "If you get access to a knife, you get access to life" and "Draw for your books, not for your weapons".

An event last Tuesday celebrated progress made since the beginning of the year.

Mum-of-three Elaine McGill, 39, whose youngest son helped to make the posters, said: “It's such a positive thing. Negativity is thrown at these kids every day of their lives.

“I feel safe that my son is here. The project is trying to get away from the stigma of the estates.”

The teenagers produced a short film about the problems they face on a daily basis, with the help of Ahmed Hussain.

Mr Hussain is now hoping to have the film broadcast on the Big Screen in Walthamstow town square and distribute the posters around the borough.

Catch 22 was given £320,000 by the council to run projects in deprived parts of the Leytonstone.

The organisation was criticised for delays in starting the project and failing to identify vulnerable youngsters.