A group of youngsters from Cliftonville have won a national award after deciding enough is enough when it comes to the problem of drugs and violence.

They got together at the QuarterDeck youth centre in Margate to write a song about their experiences and produce a music video to go with it.

Using their talents, their aim is to encourage others to pursue healthy hobbies and ignore pressures in the community such as substance abuse and crime.

Since the video was made, attitudes at the youth centre have improved and there is more respect for each other.

Everyone has signed up to a policy of not fighting, no violence, abuse or drugs.

Involved were Aron Cuga, Bromleigh McKenzie, Connor Airs, Diana Tulejova, Edyta Jobczynska, Ellecia English, Erik Totlar, Jarbo Tobar, Julia Balogoua, Lea Tatarova, Louis Choules, Megan Hobby, Michal Balog, Nikoleta Balogora, Roman Drezi, Roman Mike, Shannon Elvidge, Sky Reynolds, and Stuart Moore.

Earlier this month they were awarded the £1,000 first prize at the National Crime Beat Awards, an annual ceremony organised by the High Sheriffs’ Association which recognises innovative and successful crime prevention projects by young people.

The group were given the opportunity to work with professional artists from Resort Studios Margate, performed at the V&A Museum of Childhood in London and at the Turner Contemporary in Margate.

They were among just six from across the UK to be nominated, for their work in trying to improve the lives of people in the area.

The project, Youth of Cliftonville - Find a Solution, was a collaboration between the club members, KCC’s youth hub delivery manager Justin Wanstall; his colleague Albert Edwards; and Stephen Fenning, a young person’s co-ordinator at Fixers.

Fixers is a Big Lottery Fund project that aims to get young people’s voices heard and bring positive benefits to the community.

The project, supported by the Youth Social Action Fund - part of the Cabinet Office initiative Step Up to Serve and spearheaded by the Prince of Wales - was arranged out of KCC’s QuarterDeck Youth Centre in Margate.

There are now plans to take their message into schools to target the younger generation with their positive message.

“Their hard work has helped reduced reoffending by young people and given them a sense of self-belief and pride in their community..." Cllr Mike Hill

KCC’s cabinet member for community services Mike Hill said: “This fantastic project has helped bridge the gap between young people, our delivery partners and Kent County Council.

“Their hard work has helped reduced reoffending by young people engaging in positive activities and it has given them a sense of self-belief and pride in their local community.

“Their award challenges stereotypical images and assumptions about youngsters and they have shown great resource in identifying a problem and deciding to do something positive about it.”