LORD David Puttnam is helping youngsters take their first steps into film-making.

The man behind the hit film Chariots of Fire met pupils from ten North-East schools at the Tyneside Cinema, in Newcastle, to launch a movie project.

The scheme will see each school produce a film based on one of the ten commandments, looking at whether they are still relevant to the youth of today.

Lord Puttnam discussed film production techniques such as editing and script-writing.

He said: "This notion that entertainment has to be devoid of thought or devoid of offering anything of long term value is just an evasion.

"Good art is something that both combines genuine cultural integrity with something to say to its audience."

Schools taking part include Easington Colliery Primary, in east Durham, and Washing-ton School, Tyne and Wear.

The project is funded by Creative Partnerships, a Government-backed body that is trying to boost the film and media industry in the North-East.

Mark Scrimshaw, BBC TV director and chairman of Creative Partnerships' development committee, said: "The idea is to increase economic sustainability and artistic quality in Northern film and media companies, so the region becomes an innovator in the use of moving image and digital technologies."