YOUNG people across Clackmannanshire are helping to spread some Christmas cheer this year with a short film.

The Ochil Youth Community Improvements (OYCI) asked the youngsters what they would like to do to give a little joy to others at the end of a very challenging year.

After some deliberation, they decided to make a short comedy film to bring a smile to all those in the community – especially those who may be lonely or isolated.

It was from this idea that Operation Christmas Cheer was launched and since mid-November, the youths have been meeting in one group at Tillicoultry Baptist Church on Sundays and another meeting at Alva Academy after school on Fridays to brainstorm ideas.

Lisa Keddie, workshop facilitator for the project, told the Advertiser how proud she was of all the young people involved in the project.

She said: "We talked loads in the first week we were working with them and talking about loneliness and isolation and they were really aware that it wasn't just old people – because of Covid, people could be isolated for so many reasons.

"So they came up with lots of different folk that could be the audience for this film.

"We just wanted to do something to spread a bit of Christmas joy and they do quite a lot of drama and they're really into it."

Lisa added: "It's been really good for the young people to have a project to work on and do it in person.

"They've worked so hard, they've all put their all into it and they'll be really proud of what they created. We couldn't be prouder of them."

Not only that, the group are also producing handmade gifts to be given to people across the community.

Yarn hearts are being made by pupils at Alva Academy and will be enclosed in a gift bag with a message of hope from the young people.

These will be distributed by community partners including local churches and other support organisations

After developing characters and storylines, the group began filming in Tillicoultry on Sunday, December 6 and finished on December 13. The film premiered last Friday, December 18, on OYCI's social media channels.

Lisa continued: "It was brilliant, they were really good. Obviously filming can be quite long and boring but they came up with brilliant ideas and they were really on it.

"It was a lovely experience and I think they all had a nice time."

With Covid regulations, there are more people feeling lonely or isolated this winter and the group were keen to try and cheer up as many people as possible.

To view the OYCI's short film, visit the group's Facebook page www.facebook.com/OYCIchange or Twitter account www.twitter.com/OYCIchange