Editors are being invited to sign up to the Regional Press Corps following a change in membership rules which means only the newspapers chosen to go on an assignment have to pay towards the cost of the trip.

The Press Corps is made up of regional newspapers that want to be considered for Ministry of Defence pool facilities overseas in times of war, conflict or tension.

During the war in Iraq in 2003 eight reporters and two photographers from the Press Corps travelled to Iraq, and their copy was sent to all the newspapers who were members for free and to other newspapers for a small charge.

At the time the newspapers which sent staff to Iraq had to pay half the flight costs, as well as their staff expenses, but now companies choosing to send staff out will have to cover the full cost of media facilities with other members not expected to contribute.

The Newspaper Society, which co-ordinates the Press Corps, says this will allow editors to decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not they want to get involved in any opportunities offered.

When an assignment comes up a ballot is held to decide which newspapers should take up a pool position, unless editors decide between themselves that coverage by a particluar newspaper would offer benefits to all the others.

Newspapers must nominate a reporter and photographer when they join the Press Corps and make sure they have a basic understanding of and interest in defence issues and will keep themselves abreast of key developments.

They must complete an application form and only newspapers that meet the criteria in full are selected.

Editors have to confirm that their journalist is physically fit, able to endure difficult and dangerous environments, and able to travel by air and sea.

For more details visit www.newspapersoc.org.uk.