A 16-year-old launched her own talk show which aims to celebrate the best of Blackburn and Darwen, as well as tackle issues affecting all communities in the borough.

Aleeza Isa, who co-hosted the 1V Awards Dinner last year, joined special guests at Blackburn Library's Hornby Lecture Theatre.

Aleeza Isa Interviews is a talk show style event that was filmed in front of a live audience and will be available on YouTube.

Guests on the first show included her colleagues Aisha Hussain and Zainab Hanslod from the youth empowerment group West End Girls (WEGs).

Aleeza spoke with the Aneesa (Anie) Hussain, a stem cell recipient who raises awareness of the Anthony Nolan campaign to encourage more people to join the stem register and chief executive officer of One Voice Blackburn, Zaffer Khan.

The interviews were filmed at Blackburn LibraryAliza speaks with stem cell recipient Aneesa Hussain

The hour long-show also featured a question-and-answer session, before a networking opportunity for guests.

Aleeza said: “I absolutely loved the concept of hosting a show in front of a live audience in such an intimate setting. I can’t wait to see the final edited outcome, but it went really well. 

"The guests were engaging, the audience got involved too. People don’t realise that there are so many people behind the scenes who supported me through the process of the very first show. I am looking forward to the next show later in the year.”

Daisy Williamson, from the National Festival of Making, watched the show.

She said: “The interviews have been really inspiring. It’s a show of all the amazing things these people have done. Anie Hussain was incredible and Aleeza was truly amazing.”

Audience member Alison Whittaker added: “One Voice providing this opportunity for young people is just amazing. I was terrified of public speaking when I was their age. 

"The more opportunities young people get to do things like this the more confident they become.”

The next edition Aleeza Isa Interviews will take place on Thursday 5 December.