A delegation of tutors and students from journalism training centres across the UK are to visit the European Parliament in Brussels later this month.

Cardiff University newspaper journalism student Paul Martin, who won his place on the trip as part of a competition run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, and runner-up Jo Fletcher-Cross from Harlow College in Essex, will fly out for the two-day trip on November 29.

While there they will visit European Parliament press rooms and view the chamber, meet MEPs and have dinner with several Brussels-based journalists.

They will also view part of a European Parliament debate, visit the European Commission and attend a midday press briefing.

Paul and Jo will be joined by 12 public affairs tutors from NCTJ accredited courses at Sheffield College, Cornwall College, Darlington College, Edge Hill University, City of Wolverhampton College, Harlow College, Nottingham Trent University, Southampton Solent University, University of Sunderland and the University of Ulster.

Simon Duffin, head of press at the European Parliament UK Office will lead the visit and Lyn Jones, qualifications manager at the NCTJ, will also accompany the group.

Journalism student Paul won his all-expenses paid place on the trip, and £200, after writing an article about how Europe is portrayed in the media for a competition sponsored by the European Parliament.

Andy Martin, news editor at the Echo in Bournemouth, and a member of the NCTJ public affairs examinations board, judged the entries, and said Paul’s article ‘Perceptions of a Parliament’ was a worthy winner.

He said: “The subject of how Europe is portrayed in the media is always a topical one, particularly these days.

“Paul’s article was very well-written, nicely structured and contained good analysis and relevant quotes.”

The competition was open to students on all NCTJ courses, who were invited to write an article on the work of the European Parliament and/or UK MEPs.