DRUG-TAKING and its effects are the focus of a series of short films by young people showing today.

Wasted, a short film festival featuring three films about drugs, takes place in the Lamplight Arts Centre, Front Street, Stanley, from 2pm.

It includes XTC, a drama starring young people from across County Durham, which looks at the effects of the dance drug Ecstasy on a group of friends.

The other stories are Charlotte's Friends, starring five girls from Whickham, in Gateshead which looks at alcohol use and Joint, a docu-drama exploring the legalisation of cannabis.

The screenings come at the end of a three-day event at the Lamplight, which aims to highlight the activities and services which will be on offer when a major youth project opens in nearby Dipton next year.

The former Co-op Society Hall in the village is being transformed into The Store, a £1m healthy living centre.

The Re:Store project will offer drama and dance sessions, a community caf, a complimentary therapy practice and a support service, managed by Derwentside Primary Care Trust.

The complex will also house theatre company Cap-a-Pie and staff from the company will be involved in a lot of the activities.

Artistic director Gordon Road said: "The three day festival of film, theatre and workshops are all aimed at young people, so hopefully everyone will find something they are interested in.

"All the events will give local people the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun."

The festival draws to a close with a range of complimentary therapies on offer in the Chill Out Zone, from 4pm, leisure aerobics with Derwentside District Council from 4.30pm and a production from Cap-a-Pie Youth Theatre, called I Luv u Jimmy Spud, from 7.30pm.

For further details, contact the Lamplight Arts Centre box office on (01207) 218899.