Six regional newspapers have teamed up with Sky News to find the best young journalists in the UK.

The Western Mail, Western Morning News, Sunderland Echo, Sunday Herald, Essex Chronicle and Ulster Gazette are offering budding reporters the chance to get their work in print, as part of the Reach for the Sky Young Journalist competition.

The eight-week contest, open to 14 to 19-year-olds, is inviting journalism hopefuls to create their own news report on a topical event or issue that’s important to them and their neighbourhood.

The best will have their work published in their local newspaper, and all winners will also be invited to Sky’s state of the art newsroom for a behind the scenes look at how the news is put together, followed by a chance to make headline decisions of their own in a live workshop run by a Sky News editor.

The competition is divided into eight regions: north west, north east, central, south east, south west, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and a print, radio and television winner will be chosen from each area.

The winners of each category will then go on to compete with the winners in the other seven regions, with more prizes up for grabs.

Staff at each of the regional newspapers involved will help with the judging in their area.

Sarah Pitt, from the Western Morning News, said: “Working in the media is varied, challenging, at times infuriating – but always interesting. We are looking forward to seeing what budding reporters can come up with.”

The deadline for entries is Friday, May 5. More details can be found at www.reachforthesky.co.uk.