College students have produced a hard-hitting film to show younger children the perils of underage drinking.

The DVD, made by students at Brooksby Melton College, will be shown in schools and youth clubs across the borough.

A total of 32 students at the college were briefed by police, the Melton Area Safer Communities Partnership and the health service to direct a film that would get a serious message across to young people.

They were asked to focus on the harmful effects of underage drinking and the problems associated with alcohol and binge drinking and target young people between the ages of 12 and 17.

The film is being premiered at a special half-term event for young people in Melton today as part of alcohol awareness week.

It was written and directed by 20-year-old Jacob Penniston. The students acted in, produced, filmed and edited the DVD.

The slickly-produced film shows a young girl getting ready to go out, but her evening is ruined because she drinks too much and can only lie slumped in a chair at a party while her friends have fun. On her way home, she collapses in the park and her friends head home without her.

The message at the end is: "Know your limits, know when to stop."

Pc Lou Wills, of Melton police, said; "We were very impressed with the enthusiasm of the students and the quality and professionalism of the entries we received.

"It was hard to choose one winning idea but we are really pleased with the winning film.

"During our patrols we often come across young people who have drunk so much they put themselves at risk, not just their personal safety but also their health.

"We thought teenagers would ignore a message if it came from the police but might respond to one made by young people for young people.

"The final video is exactly what we wanted – it is very professionally produced and hard hitting and has real impact. I hope it will strike a cord with young people and discourage them from underage drinking which puts them at risk."

Writer and director Jacob said: "It was a great experience working on a professional project where we needed to hit targets; it helped prepare us for working in the industry."

Melton Borough Council's community safety officer Kevin Quinn said: "The project provided an excellent opportunity not only to develop a message that young people in Melton could relate to but to also help support and promote the excellent services on offer at Brooksby Melton College."

Leicestershire County and Rutland Community Health Services health improvement specialist Bernard Powell said: "We know that some young people see alcohol as a rite of passage into adulthood, but there's evidence that children are starting to drink alcohol at younger ages.

"This is likely to cause them a number of health problems in later life."

You can watch the DVD on Youtube