Imaginative teenagers in Blackbird Leys have come up with a model solution to brighten up their lives, write Katherine MacAlister. Fed up with the lack of facilities and bored watching TV or hanging out on the streets, they are stepping out to help themselves.

Not only are they hosting a fashion show, but they are also raising money to pay for youngsters to go on a sewing and design course.

At just 14, organiser Naomi Green, has PR skills Max Clifford would be proud of. After a youth worker at the Blackbird Leys Youth Centre mentioned the fashion show idea to Naomi, she got the wheels turning faster than Damon Hill.

She said: "I've done a couple of fashion shows at school so I know how to organise them.

"I'm more interested in the advertising and PR side, but it's a great rush when everything comes together."

Tonight well-groomed models, aged between eight and 20, will be strutting their stuff on the catwalk dressed in the latest looks available in Oxford's High Street stores.

Clothes from Kookai, Principles, Devious, Dorothy Perkins, Top Shop and Jeffrey Rogers will be paraded.

Budding Naomi Campbells have been practising their hip-swaying walk for over a week in preparation for the big night.

All the proceeds will be going towards a fashion course for 13-14 year-olds. In an effort to give youngsters on the estate a taste of the fashion and design industry, all proceeds from the show will be going towards a fashion course for 13-14-year-olds.

Naomi said that at her school, Peers School in Littlemore, they received just one sewing lesson during their textiles course, and that was it.

She explained: "There were three sewing machines between 30 of us in one class. It was hopeless."

When approached about the fashion show Naomi undertook her own research to see if the project was feasible.

She said: "I asked around to see if a fashion course would go down well and lots of people were interested. It will teach the basics of dressmaking to start with and the students can make their own clothes and wear what they make.

"We will take on a local dressmaker to teach us and people will come in with ideas. We are looking to raise hundreds of pounds for materials and hiring sewing machines.

"Then if people wanted to take it further we could extend it."

"If there are too many we will do two classes. We expect them to run for six to 12 weeks and if successful will repeat them."

Any sponsors able to donate funds, materials or sewing machines should call Naomi on 01865 772886.

Tickets for the show at Blackbird Leys Youth Centre cost £2.

The fun kicks off at 7pm and Slim, a new face on the comedy circuit, will be entertaining visitors.

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