Last summer Glyndwr University in Wrexham teamed up with North Wales newspaper group NWN Media to launch a new Certificate of Higher Education in Print Journalism.

The course enabled students to gain weekly newsroom experience alongside their regular classroom studies.

Now it has won accreditation from the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the first time an official partnership between a university and a newspaper company has received the accolade.

Journalism lecturer at Glyndwr University, Janet Jones, described the accreditation as a great step forward for the new course.

"We believe we have developed a programme in partnership with NWN Media that offers journalism students the best possible package of practical experience and academic expertise. To have that confirmed by the NCTJ through this accreditation is a huge boost,” she said.

NWN Media owns Wrexham-based daily the Evening Leader as well as weekly titles in Shropshire, North and Mid Wales and Cheshire.

Editor-in-chief Barrie Jones added: "We believe it is a really innovative way of delivering journalism training and many of our reporters are already benefiting from it."

Joanne Butcher, NCTJ chief executive, said: “The unique partnership between Glyndwr University and NWM Media has created a very good course.

"The quality of teaching is excellent and we look forward to helping staff and students drive this course into the premier league of journalism training."