Journalism student Ian Mat had a brush with the law during work experience – but he managed to turn it around and use it in his finished article.

While working Fridays at the Pontypridd & Llantrisant Observer, he was sent out by the editor to do a vox-pop on whether cosmetic surgery was a good or bad thing, to combat any residual shyness about approaching people.

All went well as Ian targeted potential victims.

Harlow College student Ian said: “Armed with a camera, notepad and a copy of last week’s vox pops ripped from the paper’s letters’ page, I began doing laps around the park, stopping potential people and enjoying a very good success rate with those willing to be photographed.

“I even got a story about a man whose face had melted into his chest when petrol was put into his paraffin lamp. Only one or two people I approached refused, which was pretty good going compared to previous attempts.

“During my third lap of the park, in search of my fifth person, I noticed a police car was creeping around the periphery and I could feel like I was being ‘checked out’. But I continued on and managed to obtain a comment from a lady and was just about to photograph her when a police officer politely asked if he could have a word with me.”

Of course, Ian lost the lady – his final interview – as he was himself interviewed by police.

The officer duly informed him that the station had received a report from a member of the public about a man claiming to be a journalist, asking people questions and taking photographs of them.

Ian said: “I explained who I was, what I was doing and who I was doing it for. I also said I couldn’t supply a press card due to being a work experience student, but showed the officer my driving licence and suggested he contact the newspaper to verify my identity.

“So the officer made his enquiries though his walkie-talkie and we chatted until confirmation came in.

“However, I told the officer that I couldn’t return to the office without at least a fifth vox pop and my potential interviewee had run off during our chat.

“So I said to the police officer: What’s your opinion of plastic surgery …?

“I returned to the office with five vox pops, a new-found confidence in approaching strangers, and a funny story to tell.”