A CORONATION Street star swapped the cobbled streets of Weatherfield for a movie-making experience in Weaverham.

Jack Shepherd, who plays teenager David Platt in the soap, visited Northwich on Thursday to help a team of young directors making a video highlighting youth issues in the Northwich area.

He dropped in at Weaverham High School to record the opening sequence of the film which will be screened during a high-profile seminar involving young people and youth organisations.

The Young People and Safer Communities Conference, at Tatton Park at the end of the month, is an initiative by Cheshire County Council, Cheshire Constabulary and the High Sheriff of Cheshire, Diana McConnell, to tackle anti-social behaviour and youth issues. The film is an opportunity for young people to speak out on matters they feel have an impact on their lives.

Frank Harding, co-ordinator of the High Sheriff's charity, Crimebeat, said it was vital young people had a voice in their communities.

He said: 'Weaverham has been a recent source of youth nuisance, which in turn has stimulated numerous letters of complaint to the Chief Constable.

'We asked the high-school students to assess the problems for themselves and make a video about their findings.

'We have provided the funding for them to purchase video and sound equipment, and it was great to have Jack make the introduction.'

The team of Year 10 film-makers was able to spend an hour with Jack asking questions about his experiences of growing up, before directing him through the opening sequence of the film.

Jack, 16, who was joined by mum Janet and sister Amy, signed autographs and posed for photographs with students - and at one point the actor was mobbed by dozens of schoolgirl fans.

He said: 'I really enjoyed it, and the school gave me a fantastic welcome.

'I hope the video has an impact because it is important that young people do have a voice.

'Every area has its own youth issues. But money is often wasted on dealing with the impact youth nuisance creates rather than tackling the underlying issues which cause the problems.'