LIGHTS, camera, action . . . movie success has come early for a group of young New Forest filmmakers.

Four local lads aged from just eight to 14 had their first attempt at a pop video screened at a national festival of film last week.

Dan Wales and Kit McColl from Brockenhurst, Lee Brown from Lymington, and Ed Tan from Totton proved they were naturals - both behind and in front of a lens.

Their movie - called Cornershop - was one of 15 videos made by young people from all over the country, shown at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford.

At Artsway, the contemporary art centre at Sway, near Lymington, where the film was made, staff are celebrating their local team's success.

Education officer Helen Waters said: "These kids have done so well. Now we can go back to the funding bodies who paid for this year's video course and say, 'Look at this success! Can we do the same next year'

"It is expensive to run courses like this, but we have shown that when you give youngsters a chance, they'll take it!"

The boys paid tribute to Bournemouth-based animation artist Lizzie Sykes, who ran the weekend video workshop.

"She helped us a lot with how to use the camera, but we chose the pop song because it was nice and lively, and decided what we wanted to film," said eight-year-old Dan.

"We ran through art exhibits, and used pastel and juddery effects. We put on costumes, and we even got Sway's corner shop keeper, Pami Sharma, to dance," said Kit, also eight.

"It was a surprise that our video was chosen. We did not even know it had been sent up. The first we knew was a letter saying we were invited to attend the screening in Bradford," said Lee, 14.

The winning video will be shown at Artsway on Wednesday, November 10, at 7pm. Also to be shown is an animated film made by local youngsters during Artsway's Saturday morning cartoon workshop.

For information on courses at Artsway, contact Helen Waters on 01590 682260.

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