Twelve wannabe journalists have been given a helping hand in training for their chosen careers, after being chosen to receive a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund.

The charitable fund was created in a bid to attract more people from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds into the industry.

Nineteen shortlisted candidates were interviewed at The Observer offices in London on Monday.

And now 12 candidates have now been chosen to receive awards from the initiative managed by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

From September three candidates will begin courses at the University of Sheffield, two will study at Kingston University, and others will train at Lambeth College, Darlington College, Liverpool Community College, the University of Central Lancashire, University of Sunderland, University of Strathclyde and The Journalist Works in Brighton.

The busaries were awarded after candidates were interviewed by a panel which included Society of Editors director Bob Satchwell and Robin Esser, executive managing editor of the Daily Mail.

The fund was set up with the help of the Newspaper Licensing Agency, and media groups including Pearson, Guardian Media Group, Associated Newspapers and News International have also contributed to the fund.

Six bursaries were handed out last year, and there are two further chances for people to apply if they are starting courses any time in the 2007/2008 academic year.

Go to www.journalismdiversityfund.com for more details.