THEY will happily say they are a bunch of YoBs, but these youngsters are actually working hard to improve life in their town.

The group, whose name is an acronym for Youth of Bicester, have been out on the town’s streets to discover what makes Bicester really special.

After quizzing residents on the best bits about the town, the findings will be collated in a book entitled I am BOB, which stands for Book Of Bicester.

By exploring who makes up the town, and with the help of Oxford professional photographer Suzy Prior, the group will create the book and additional content to go online.

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Bicester teen Nellie O’Rourke-Stopka, 13, said: “I heard about I am BOB from friends and it sounded really interesting, so I decided to get involved.

“I have really enjoyed it because I have been able to do loads of art and drawing for the book, and it is something different to do instead of sitting around at home.”

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Gabriel Mckeon takes a photograph of Crown Walk caretaker Stephen Gibbs.

YoBs are supported by the Bicester-based charity OYAP Trust, which works with young people throughout Oxfordshire, and has been given funding from Sanctuary Housing, Artswork and Bicester Village shopping centre for the project.

The group, aged between 11-25, have been interviewing passers-by, collecting stories and recording them in film, photography and art.

The book has taken inspiration from the book Humans of New York, which is a collection of pictures, quotes and anecdotes about New Yorkers.

General manager of the OYAP Trust Caroline Tress said: “I am BOB has been a fantastic way for young people in Bicester to get to know their local community, and for the community to see young people doing something really positive.

“With the support of award-winning OYAP artists, the Youth of Bicester have also learned loads of new skills, from sound technology, photography and filming techniques to interviewing, teamwork, organisation and planning skills.”

Group member Jensen Tilley, 14, said: “I was nervous about getting involved at first but I heard that the YoBs were doing a filming project so I decided to come along.

“That was two years ago. Since then I have been on an arts trip to France with OYAP and now I am enjoying being part of I am BOB.”

Mrs Tress added: “Many of the team are working towards an arts award, so they will end up with a new qualification at the end of the project.

“Soon they will be editing and publishing their own book, and learning business skills through selling the final product at the Book of Bicester launch event.

“We are really proud of what the Youth of Bicester have achieved, and grateful to our sponsors, Sanctuary Housing, Artswork and Bicester Village for enabling the project to happen.”

The book will be launched on Saturday, April 18, at The Studio in Crown Walk, Pioneer Square.

Anyone who buys the book during the launch will get a code, which they can then use online to access the footage recording during the group’s research.

Proceeds from sales will go towards the OYAP Trust.

To find out more information about joining the YoBs or about the book launch event, contact zaylie@oyap.org.uk.