A GROUP of young people calling themselves Canute are planning to do their bit to counter erosion along the Suffolk coast - starting with an event at The Cut at Halesworth next month.

A GROUP of young people calling themselves Canute are planning to do their bit to counter erosion along the Suffolk coast - starting with an event at The Cut at Halesworth next month.

Poppy and Amber Roy, Molly Ball and Rebecca Barnett, who all live near Halesworth, are concerned that the sea is taking away their region, and are appealing to others to help do something to stop it.

They said: “Are the children of today going to suffer the consequences of coastal erosion and global warming? Many houses will be lost to the sea as the coast has retreated over 14 metres in less than one year and no one is doing anything about it.”

Thousands of acres of farmland will be allowed to flood, potentially jeopardising food production in areas such as East Anglia, if the current government policy continues, they claim. But Canute, young people aged 13-19, plan to stir up awareness of the problem, with the help of a £20,000 grant.

“We have been given a grant of £20,000, and are putting together a film and radio programme on coastal erosion,” the group said. “These mediums are premiering at The Cut, Halesworth, on January 30, and we are planning to send them around schools, distribute through the internet and cinemas as well as delivering them to the prime minster in hope of further action taking place.”

The film and radio programme will inform and entertain using an exciting blend of dance, drama, music and documentary.

The group is also approaching well-known local figures such as Emma Freud, Richard Curtis, John Gummer and Suffolk's own Canute, Peter Boggis, who has been bolstering the cliff close to his home at Easton Bavents.

This film not only details coastal erosion and global warming but the potential solutions to the problems.

“Parts of the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline will not be given a penny for defences because they have been deemed impossible to save,” according to one erosion risk assessment.

Poppy said: “The money we have been granted by Media Box has given us a great opportunity to address the community on coastal erosion and global warming.”

The group would like to invite people to its sessions and to the premiere. If you would like to arrange dates, contact Amber Roy or Poppy Roy on 01986 781762.

For more information go to www.canuteproject.net or email canute@canuteproject.net.