VILLAGE children have helped compile an award-winning film record of one of the region’s shrinking rural communities.

Pupils at Cotherstone Primary School, in Teesdale, County Durham, contributed to the film about hill farming, which was honoured in the Royal Television Society’s North-East and the Borders Awards.

They worked with Teeny Tiny Films on the best factual programme (non-broadcast), which was shot and animated in the school and around the village.

They wrote poetry, created stop-film animations, interviewed farmers and filmed sheep clipping and haymaking for the Teesdale Hill Farming Story, directed by Cotherstone film-maker Sam Forsyth.

More used to working with the big budgets and large film crews associated with his previous career making wildlife and science films in Bristol and London, Mr Forsyth founded Teeny Tiny Films in Cotherstone as a not-forprofit social enterprise.

His films inform and educate as well as entertain and often tackle difficult subjects, such as children in care and health issues.

Concerned about the dwindling numbers of hill farmers in his home area, he now hopes to use the award as a springboard for more work with the hill farming community.

He said: “Even in a place like Cotherstone, the numbers of children with direct links with farming have gone down over the past ten years and there is a danger that new generations are going to lose contact with the farms around here.

“All the films we make have a purpose and this one aims to increase the understanding of the farming way of life.

“This is a rural school in a small village, but not many children are from farming families.

“The film is going to be used more widely to publicise the need for schools to work with farming communities.”

Mr Forsyth accepted the award with Alan Fentiman, who contributed to the film’s animation, motion graphics and music. Oliver Smith was cameraman and editor, while the school’s deputy headteacher Susie Blackburn led the research.

Mr Forsyth said: “It was just like the Oscars. Now I know how they feel.

“We couldn’t believe it when our name was called.

“It was amazing for our small team to beat much larger people and win.”

The school is selling the film for £8.