YOUNG people in Ashburton have been learning how to become film directors, write scripts and operate cameras — and have been brushing up on the history of their ancient town at the same time.

International director Bill Lazario flew in from Rome to head a team of experts who held film and video workshops, using the historic St Lawrence Chapel as their headquarters.

Nearly 20 youngsters spent a week making a film called Clara's Story about a young woman living in the town during the Civil War in the 1960s.

They set up their cameras in churches, in a graveyard and inside several of the town's oldest buildings, including two public houses.

They also interviewed local people who have family connections going back many generations.

One of them was 84-year-old Gwen Arscott, who said it was a pleasure to cooperate with the young film makers.

"They did their job splendidly," she said. "It was a pleasure to see them so interested in our history."

The Heritage Lottery Fund gave a grant of almost £20,000 towards the project organised by the Ashburton Festival group in partnership with South Dartmoor Community College and the Bank Youth Project.

Festival organiser Jennefer Donaldson said it had been a tremendous success and the budding film makers had shown considerable talent.

The film they have made will be shown to the general public in early June.