TEENAGERS on a Birkenhead housing estate are being asked to make some snap decisions about life in their area.

The youngsters from the Woodchurch Estate are working with photographer Leo Fitzmaurice to focus on their impressions of local places and issues which affect their lives.

The Portrait Project has been developed by the Woodchurch Partnership, which has secured funding of £6,500 to run the scheme from Merseyside ACME, set up with Objective 1 cash to support local creative community activities.

Later in the year, the photographs will be featured in an exhibition touring Wirral. Project bosses also hope to publish a book of the some of the most memorable images.

Organiser Max Alder of Wirral Youth Service and Wirral Theatre, said: "The Portrait Project has two phases. Firstly, the young people attend workshops to learn about the theory of photography and some basic camera skills from Leo Fitzmaurice, whose work has been exhibited all over the country. Then we provide them with disposable cameras and ask them to use photography to record life in the area, hopefully in an artistic and entertaining way."

Merseyside ACME's Kevin McManus said: "As well as inviting the artistic input of local young people this exciting project is giving them the chance to comment on issues which affect their life on the estate in a creative way."

Merseyside ACME is a partnership between the five Merseyside local authorities and North West Arts Board. The partnership has received £2.97 million of Objective 1 money to support the creative industries on Merseyside over a two-year period.

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