The Newcastle Evening Chronicle welcomed a newshound with a difference to its newsroom, when children's TV favourite Basil Brush paid a visit.

The furry fox popped into the Chronicle's offices after enjoying his brush with journalism, writing an exclusive comedy column for the paper.

Basil said: "Well it seems that my column in the Chronicle was an even bigger success than I could ever have imagined.

"I was driving along in my tour bus munching jelly babies when the Basil hotline rang. Mr Paul, editor of the Chronicle, wanted me to put my new-found journalistic skills to use one more time and help edit the paper."

Basil also took to the streets to help its vendors, and heads turned as he shouted "Chronicle" in his inimitable style, with a "Boom! Boom!" thrown in for good measure.

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