YOUNGSTERS in Burnley have produced their own answer to the Muppet Show in a bid to tackle issues including drugs and vandalism.

But instead of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the children from the Duke Bar area, have created monsters and clowns to hammer home their messages.

The colourful life-sized puppets were made by the group of seven to 16-year-olds, as part of a half-term project at St Andrew’s Church, in Colne Road.

Under the guidance of staff from inter-faith organisation Building Bridges Burnley, the youths wrote a play and performed it yesterday, using the puppets.

Around 20 children used paper, glue and wooden poles to make the figures. They also gave each creation individual character traits.

The aim was for the youngsters to reflect the good and bad things about their community.

Alison St Pierre, senior youth worker at Building Bridges, hailed the scheme a success.

She said: “They have all enjoyed it. They were able to reflect their own lives and be creative through drama.

“They’re very talented – it’s quite amazing to see really.”

Topics in the play include litter, drugs and vandalism. Alison added: “The play particularly focused on road killings as speeding is a big issue in Duke Bar.

“They show the bad things, but also the things that are good with the area like the fact that their parents care about them and the service the club provides.”

Alison said they run different projects in the school holidays and will continue with similar schemes in the future. She added: “There isn’t a lot to do in the area, so what we provide keeps the kids off the streets.”

Daneshouse with Stoneyholme ward Coun Zahir Ahmed said: “A lot of the work Building Bridges does is so good for the community.”