Trainee journalists are being given the chance to see their own stories included in the Leicester Mercury - and win an award for it.

Postgraduate newspaper journalism students at De Montfort University have been set the task of digging up news stories from their own areas of the city between now and the end of May.

The student deemed to have come up with the best stories at the end of that time will receive the inaugural Leicester Mercury District Reporter Award and a £100 cash prize.

The best stories along the way may also be included in the paper.

Mercury deputy editor Kay Drummond said: "An experience like this is great for students.

"If you come up with cracking stories week in week out you deserve credit for it and the Leicester Mercury wants to recognise that."

Senior journalism lecturer John Dilley added: "Stories about people are the lifeblood of newspapers and that is what we are preparing our students for.

"The experience of digging up stories, both big and small, will stand them in good stead."

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