Trainee reporter Amy Harris spent a week helping out her local paper and ended up with a national scoop.

Amy, (22), who normally works for the Kenilworth Times, was seconded to sister paper the Hinckley Times for a week due to staff holidays.

And when the phone rang and a man called Andrew Tierney said he had a story, it set a ball rolling which saw her Hinckley Times front page lead become the Sun's splash on Friday.

Amy, (pictured left), said: "When I spoke to Andrew and heard he had been fined £50 for putting two envelopes in a street litter bin, I knew instantly we had a great story.

"It was the splash on the Hinckley Times last Thursday and I was thrilled as it was my first week on a paid for title - the Kenilworth Times, where I usually work, is free."

She added: "Then when I heard the story was Friday's spash on the Sun and appeared in all the nationals, as well as on television and radio, I was shocked and delighted - particularly because the newspapers had used many of my quotes from Andrew and the council.

"We've had dozens of letters into the Hinckley Times with some great follow up material, so I'm thrilled.

"More to the point, the council is now likely to waive the £50 fine after a day in the media spotlight, so I'm really pleased for Andrew - he's told me he's over the moon."

Andrew Punshon, group series editor for Coventry Weekly Newspapers, said: "We needed a reporter to help out and Amy, who lives in our circulation area, was the natural choice.

"A week previously she had mentioned she felt she did not have enough hard news stories for her training portfolio.

"Well this one will certainly help her out and she has put Hinckley well and truly on the map - for a rubbish story!"