A project which saw journalism students take over the running of a local weekly paper has been hailed a success.

The seven print and magazine trainees from Leeds Trinity University joined the Morley Observer for a week last month, taking on lead roles in producing the news agenda for the week.

The group generated their own stories, wrote them up and uploaded them to the website, while student Andreas Mullings managed to get the front page story about controversial plans to expand a travellers’ site.

Following the project’s success, there are now plans for it to become an annual event.

News editor Sarah Hall said: “It was really exciting to take part in a unique project like this. Having never embarked on anything like it before none of us knew what to expect – but in my opinion it couldn’t have gone better.

“All of the students produced some outstanding work they should be very proud of and they seemed to really enjoy the experience. It’s something that I’d definitely be keen to do again.”

Lisa Bradley, Leeds Trinity University senior lecturer in journalism, added: “This has been an amazing experience for everyone involved, and to have got the front page and the main news page lead on the inside has been brilliant.

“The postgraduate trainees spent all weekend before the project in Morley and produced an amazing news list that I would have been proud of when I was running my own news room.”

The journalism students who took part in the takeover project are pictured.