A student journalist who responded to an article in The Guardian was rewarded by seeing his article end up in print.

David Lee wanted a more balanced view after the paper described computer sales staff as "roving imbeciles".

So the 19-year-old University of Lincoln student penned a 600-word article about being a computer salesman, which subsequently appeared in the Technology section.

David, from Huntingdon, Cambs said: "I work part-time as a computer salesman to fund my studies and know how hard working in retail can be.

"After reading the article criticising computer store staff I thought I'd write a riposte. I e-mailed the editor and pitched my idea to him.

"I'd always presumed getting your work published in a national newspaper would be really hard as they must receive hundreds of e-mails from budding journos every day.

"My experience has been completely different from what I expected. I'm even being paid for it!"

Journalism lecturer Richard Orange said: "It's the first time a first year student at the University of Lincoln has been commissioned to write an article by a national newspaper.

"It goes to show sometimes using your initiative and cold calling can pay off."

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