FILM-MAKERS from Derbyshire can share their work with the world by posting their movies on the internet.

Up until now members of Derby Movie Makers have only been able to show their films at their meetings and during competitions.

But now, thanks to a change to the club's copyright licence, they can now post videos on YouTube and Google Video and then link those sites to their own website.

Club chairman Simon Sumner said the change would make a massive difference to the club and hoped that it might encourage more amateur film-makers to join the group.

He said: "We've got our own website where we try to tell people about what Derby Movie Makers do but for a long time the biggest problem was that we were telling the world about our work but nobody had the chance to see it for themselves.

"Many of the films we make contain copyrighted material such as music and, up until now, the licence we have didn't allow this to be shared on the internet.

"Now we can show the world the films we have made here in Derbyshire."

The club is a member of the Film and Video Institute the IAC, which means the films it produces are covered by the institute's copyright scheme.

Thanks to the recent changes, designed to update the current copyright licence and make films more accessible, the club has now set up its own channel on YouTube and has already posted 12 films.

The films, which vary in length from just over one minute to nine minutes, are also available to view on the Derby Movie Makers' own website.

Mr Sumner, of Chellaston, said: "The club has been running for more than 50 years and film-making has become much easier during that time.

"In the early days it was all done on 8mm cine film and was very expensive and time consuming.

"But with modern digital camcorders it has become much easier for people to have a go at making their own films.

"Most people already have a computer and the costs of cameras has come down a lot in recent years, you can pick up a decent one for about £200."

The club's 20 members vary in age and ability and meet at the New Bridge Inn, in Shelton Lock, to share their work and learn about different film making techniques. They also regularly enter competitions and recently won the Tony Rose competition, held between film-making clubs from Derby, Nottingham, Long Eaton, Chesterfield, Leicester and Nuneaton, for the second year running.

The subject of their films vary – Situation Vacant is about a job interview which takes on the feel of a game show, while Turning the Turf covers a horse-drawn ploughing competition.

Mr Sumner, 41, said: "Most of the members have day jobs but enjoy making films as a hobby.

"Some people have great technical knowledge whereas others are good at the script writing side and coming up with ideas.

"We all help and encourage each other and are always looking for new members to join the club."

Anyone wanting to find out more and view films made by Derby Movie Makers should visit www.derbymoviemakers.org.uk.