FILMING began on a new television show featuring youngsters from across the country looking for work in Christchurch this week.

The show – No Country for Young Men – a working title – began filming in Christchurch on Thursday with the group of around 100 youngsters seen on Christchurch Quay and the bowling green throughout the day.

The BBC3 show features a large group of youngsters aged 18-28 who are having difficulty getting a job.

The group will be whittled down to 20 and placed in Christchurch businesses where people have been working for a long time, to complete an eight week placement.

Older people will act as mentors to the youngsters and give them help and support in getting a job.

They’ll be filming in the businesses from about mid-September and it’s likely the 6-week documentary will be shown in January on BBC3.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr John Lofts, who has served on the council for more than 25 years, was one of the people to greet the group alongside leader, Cllr Ray Nottage.

Cllr Nottage said: “It was very interesting to meet these young people. It’s obvious that many of them have been really trying to find employment but haven’t managed to secure a job.

“Christchurch was selected from many towns across the country because our businesses and the Council were found to be open and welcoming, according to the producer.

"I’m sure the people chosen as mentors will be able to set a wonderful example to these young hopefuls.

"It’s interesting to note that our larger industries say they struggle to find young potential employees with the right skill sets and qualifications, which this programme seems to confirm.”

Earlier this year Cllr Nottage hit out after an episode of Top Gear, filmed in Christchurch, played on the borough’s famed elderly population.

He questioned why Christchurch was portrayed as “some sort of extension to a massive old people's home.”