A unique course which allows people to do journalism training online has reached an important landmark towards accreditation.

Run by Journalism Training Services, the course, which provides distance learning for trainees, has been awarded New Provider Status by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council.

This means that course director Cleland Thom has satisfied the council that the course is compatible with their accreditation standards, and that he is committed to achieving full accreditation.

Cleland said: "This is a very important step. The ODLQC has recognised the quality of what have established so far.

"We aim to achieve full accreditation during 2004."

The course, which was launched in January, allows students to study for the NCTJ Preliminary exams online.

Attracting people who are often excluded from journalism training for financial reasons or because they live in remote locations, the course offers a money-back guarantee if they do not pass their exams.