A junior 'press gang' run by a freelance journalist in Bath has been working in a real newsroom attached to the city's theatre - and getting the stories as they happen.

The project saw Samantha Walker-Sowden work with 12 young journalists in an initiative designed to introduce the children to the theatre.

One 15-year-old lad managed to get an interview with actor Richard Briers, and another has been interviewed by the local radio station.

The youngsters worked together every day in a 'newsroom' to produce a daily newsletter covering a children's festival.

Samantha, who acts as editor for the event, said: "It was certainly a tough week from my point of view because I had to make sure the wannabes got their stories.

"One lad got read the riot act when he failed to turn up to get the newsletter out - it was pointed out that had he done this in a real paper he would have been out on his ear! But it was also great fun and good to see the kids become more confident as the week progressed.

"The kids wrote reviews and news pieces during the week. For some of them it was a little difficult when I made changes to their work but again, as that would happen at a real newspaper, it was something they accepted.

"They also had to work to deadlines - something they initially found difficult. We managed to produce a newsletter every day with a good mix of news, reviews, photos and interviews. The newsletters were given out to theatre-goers before every performance.

"The kids did really well with one 15-year-old, John-Paul Indoe, managing to get an interview with actor Richard Briers. Richard saw John-Paul's notebook and pen and lunged for it thinking JP was an autograph seeker!"

Samantha, (39), got into journalism nine years ago after previously working in local government and works in news and features, currently enjoying a two-month stint at the Bath Chronicle. She has also worked on youth projects for Sky and has contributed to the Jamaican Daily Gleaner.

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