Princes Harry and William back Nottingham hip hop opera

A rap opera aimed at tackling gang culture is being backed by Prince Harry and Prince William.

The musical project, set in a barber shop, seeks to highlight the futility of postcode rivalries through combining hip hop and opera.

It is the work of Full Effect, a Nottingham youth scheme funded by the princes' Royal Foundation.

Members recently unveiled the opera in front of the princes at a private launch party in London.

"Prince Harry's cool," youth worker Jourdan Blair said. "Prince or no prince, he's a good guy.

"He likes hip hop, he listens to hip hop, he's active and likes sports and they're things I like so we get on."

The prince pledged his "long-term support" for the group, which was set up almost three years ago in St Ann's, during his third visit to the city in recent years.

"These guys have come in and helped, and they've stuck around," Jourdan said. "It shows that they care."

The group are aiming to have the production ready by next October.

"It is tackling gang culture," Nick Sterret, a producer at the group's Community Recording Studio, said.

"But also it's showing that we're more than that in St Ann's and surrounding communities. We're full of positivity and creativity."