Football legend Jimmy Hill has become the latest new signing for student newspaper The Preston Independent.

Each week he’ll provide the newspaper with his “Jimmy’s Chin-Wag” column, which discusses the relevant sports issues in the news.

Despite being interrupted from filling his pond when first approached, Jimmy agreed to take on the job.

Jimmy said: “I am delighted take part in this publication. I like being able to help the students with their paper, and was surprised that it has gained them such attention.”

Jimmy was approached by student Becky Draper after the team were eager find a well-known celebrity columnist.

She first got the contact while on work placement for the Coventry Evening Telegraph, where she had to do a feature on local celebrities and their favourite party tune.

Becky said: “I was star struck when I first spoke to him on my placement, and every week I make it known to as many people I can that I talk to him every week.

“I was a bit nervous on the first week though, as I got him out of bed. He didn’t seem to mind.”

The Preston Independent is a weekly assessed paper as part of the third year print journalism course at the University of Central Lancashire.

Tutor Delwyn Swingewood was impressed with the new signing, and said: “This shows great initiative. It’s a great use of contacts and I think every working journalist should be green with envy.”