Regional newspapers are making good use of the Freedom of Information Act and unearthing stories on a wide variety of subjects, according to a new report published by the Campaign for Freedom of Information.

The organisation, which works to improve public access to official information and to ensure the FOI Act is implemented effectively, has collated 500 examples of press stories which were published following requests using the new act.

They can be seen here.

Among those included are stories from the The Journal in Newcastle, which revealed that four nurses, doctors or other NHS hospital workers are attacked in the North East every day, and the Cumberland News, which reported that almost 3,000 pupils were excluded from secondary schools in Carlisle between 2000 and 2004.

The Leicester Mercury revealed how one Leicestershire dental practice is earning nearly £1m a year in fees for treating NHS patients, and the Western Mail told how the Ministry of Defence has investigated 28 reports of UFO sightings in Wales since 2002.