EPPING Forest Youth Councilors are celebrating after winning back funding for a film project.

The council, which is made up of teenagers aged 13 to 19, was told by Essex County Council that they may not get the funding promised for their project to make a film about personal safety.

The group lobbied the county council for the funds, which were promised in April, to be released and they will now be able to go ahead with the film, which they aim to record onto DVD in October and distribute around schools in the district.

Youth councillor Jekin Patel, 15, from Epping, said: “We were very happy when we found out we would have the opportunity to make the DVD.

“We didn't have the budget to hire out all the equipment, so we had the idea of going for funding.”

Youth councillor Annalise Armitage, 15, from Chigwell, said: “Many teenagers we have spoken to have raised concerns about their personal safety whilst out and about in the district.

“We discussed this as a youth council and felt that it would be a good idea to involve local young people in making a film about their experiences, concerns and also their ideas for possible solutions.

“We just want to put the message across that we can do something for the youth. It's going to make them feel more secure in their area and give them more confidence.”

She added that the youth council had held a conference with youngsters from across the district and that reducing confrontation between different groups had been a top priority.

Fellow youth councillor James Jackson, 13, from Loughton, who will be interviewed as part of the film, said: “I'm going to say what I think we need in the district and what we can maybe cut back on."

Anyone who wants to get involved in making the film can telephone the youth council office on 01992 564365 or email efyc@eppingforestdc.gov.uk