'Care To Listen' put Harry Potter in the shade as young directors from York's care system premiered their own hard-hitting film.

The City Screen showing was packed by council staff and workers from a wide range of care agencies.

The film used interviews to tell of the difficulties faced by 16-year-olds leaving care and faced, for the first time, with life on their own.

And it challenged the stereotypes that paint a grim picture of unemployment, homelessness, drug abuse and crime.

It was made by members of the York Aftercare Support Group, set up in 1997 for 16 to 24-year-olds to help them build their lives.

Group member Karl Hesmondhalgh, 22, said: "The video was great to make because it has helped to get a message across about the things we have experienced as care leavers, both good and bad."