A woman who played an instrumental role in securing mayoral funding for the creative industries in Tottenham has praised the initiative for giving a “voice to the voiceless”.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan last week announced residents in South Tottenham will benefit from £50,000 funding to support creative industries as the area becomes one of six places in the capital to be designated a Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ)

The funding will secure new training, skills development and job opportunities for local residents, as well as providing business support and networking for local creative businesses.

Selma Nicholls, who set up casting agency, Looks Like Me, in South Tottenham in 2016, played an instrumental role in helping Haringey Council secure the funding from Mr Khan when her company produced a video that was part of the bid.

Looks Like Me was set up when Selma’s then three-year-old daughter came home from nursery and said she didn’t like being brown. The casting agency now represents people from black, Asian, minority and ethnic backgrounds.

Praising the funding in helping to develop the creative industries in South Tottenham, Ms Nicholls said: “CEZ really helps to represent the creative excellence happening in Tottenham.

“This money will really enable the work of local people to grow and create opportunities for people. There’s a lot of great talent which has been under the radar and it is great to see those people being recognised now.

“This is the way to inspire and raise the aspirations of young people. It gives a voice to the voiceless and connects people from diverse communities in Tottenham.”

Ms Nicholls also praised the initiative because she said putting greater funding into the creative industries would help to stop young people getting involved in crime.

She said: “Getting involved in something creative helps to divert people away from crime because it opens the doors to possibilities for children.

“If we inspire young people from when they are children it sparks their creative flare and allows them to explore where their imaginations can go to.

“If young people become interested in something they can see their talent and connect with other creatives instead of getting involved in crime.”

Ms Nicholls is now working with Haringey Council to decide which groups the money will be given to over the next few months.

Cllr Charles Adje, cabinet member for strategic regeneration at Haringey Council added: “We are proud to have the Mayor select us as one of the six new CEZs.

“This groundbreaking initiative will help us develop skills and jobs for our local people, as well as support existing and new businesses to thrive in the borough.”