Children have been tasked with scripting, acting in and filming their own movies to celebrate Bradford’s unique City of Film status.

Teenagers at four of the district’s secondary schools are getting expert support from award-winning playwright and former Telegraph & Argus sub-editor Michael Yates.

He has been appointed by school support services firm Education Bradford as the city’s first scriptwriter in residence to work with the district’s schools.

Gifted and talented pupils are working on their ideas with Mr Yates to help Education Bradford’s Transforming Learning Service celebrate Bradford’s status as the world’s first official UNESCO City of Film.

Year Nine students at St Joseph’s Catholic College and St Bede’s Catholic Grammar are the first to shoot their film.

Helen Foster, a high-level teaching assistant at St Joseph’s, said: “The students have decided to write a who-done-it murder mystery script. We’ve been working on it for three Fridays and now we’re starting editing.

“It’s been great for pupils’ self-esteem and confidence, and it’s great that we can promote Bradford as a City of Film in school.”

Year Eight students at Hanson School and Carlton Bolling College start producing their film in September.

Mr Yates said his job was to channel pupils’ enthusiasm.

“I will show youngsters how to turn stories into drama for either film or stage,” he said.

“When young people start writing, they normally begin with poetry or short stories.

“Drama demands a different sort of mind-set – but it’s the most immediate and rewarding form of telling a tale.”

Jenn Plews, of Education Bradford’s Transforming Learning Service, said: “I’m thrilled we can give our students such a wonderful opportunity. I can’t think of a better way to learn and bring communities together in the City of Film than through cinema.”

Peg Alexander, Bradford’s City of Film director, said: “This is a wonderful development. It’s the kind of activity that is very much at the heart of using our fabulous film status to make a change to the city and the people who live here.

“One of City of Film’s priorities is to make Bradford a world-class place to learn about and learn through film. This project is certainly going to do just that.”

The scripts will be filmed using Bradford City of Film equipment and will be shown at premieres at the National Media Museum.