A spell of work experience is a tried-and-tested route into the profession - usually a week here or a month there.

But Pete Walsh has clocked up an amazing six years at the Evening News, Norwich.

And now his persistence has paid off as Pete, 25, has achieved his dream ofbecoming a journalist by landing a place on Eastern Counties Newspapers'editorial trainee scheme.

Pete's first spell of work experience with the paper was in summer 1995.

After that, he went away to Lancaster University but returned to the Evening News every vacation to gain yet more experience.

Pete Walsh

Since graduating with a BA Honours degree in Culture and Communication, Petehas been stacking shelves at Sainsbury's, but his ambition to become ajournalist has never dwindled.

He has continued to spend one of his two days-off a week at the EveningNews, where he has become a valued member of the features team and has builtup an impressive portfolio of cuttings.

Pete applied to join the ECN trainee scheme last year but was unsuccessful.

He was undaunted, however, and this year he impressed the interview panel towin one of five places on the scheme.

He joins the ECN payroll on December 10, and following a month at headoffice in Norwich, Pete will continue his training at the Editorial Centre,Hastings.

Then he will return to work as a junior reporter on one of the group'stitles in Norfolk or Suffolk.

Becoming a journalist fulfils a lifetime's ambition for Pete, a former paperboy.

"It's all I've ever wanted to do," he said. "I used to deliver the Eastern Daily Press to the paper's sports editor. I recognised him and told him one day I'd always wanted to be a journalist and asked if he had any advice.

"He told me to stick at it - and I have."

Evening News editor David Bourn said: "Pete's story is a wonderfulexample of a person who is prepared to do whatever it takes to realise theirdream.

"Most people would have given up a long time ago and the persistence andsheer strength of will he has shown will stand him in very good stead in hischosen profession.

"Everyone on the selection panel was incredibly impressed by hisdetermination to become a journalist and we are all looking forward tohaving him on board."

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