A new bi-annual freesheet with an initial print run of 3,000 has been launched by journalism students.

Those studying at the Leicester Centre for Journalism, based at the city’s De Montfort University, will take part in the Newfoundpool News project as part of their course.

The scheme has been brought about after residents in the Newfoundpool area of Leicester approached the university about its Square Mile project, which works to share the skills of staff and students with the community, to ask whether a newsletter could be created to share news from the area.

But students pledged to go one better – by founding their own 12-page newspaper, overseen by John Dilley, director of the LCJ and former Harborough Mail editor.

Stories unearthed ahead of the newspaper’s launch this week included an unusual proposal, a look at the area’s heritage and features on residents as well as a story on a planning controversy.

The production of the first edition has been welcomed by the university’s Square Mile manager Mark Charlton, who was formerly night editor at the Leicester Mercury.

He said: “We’re very proud to produce this newspaper and website which deliver real local news from journalism students who have been out into the community to speak to residents and find out their stories.”

The newspapers are being delivered across Newfoundpool this week.