Trainee journalists from the University of Central Lancashire have scooped three of only six places available on a popular sub-editor traineeship at The Sun, run by the Press Association.

They will start their course in July, beginning with an intensive four weeks’ training at the Press Association. This is followed by several months spent at regional newspapers across the country before going down to The Sun in London.

Student newspaper editor Mark Hudson, postgraduate newspaper student Andrew Ewart and Dean Scoggins – a final year undergraduate journalism student – are the trio who beat competition from some 1,000 hopefuls.

Mark said: “It’s always been The Sun for me. I never really wanted to work anywhere else and so to be given this opportunity is fantastic.”

Andrew said: “It will be strange subbing the work of people who have so much more experience than me but The Sun has shown enough faith in me to offer me the position in the first place, so it’s up to me to prove I have the confidence to do it.”

Dean, the only undergraduate student on the scheme, said: “There were people there with so much more experience than me. The fact that three UCLan students made it into the last 32 is a great achievement for the department, let alone that we were awarded half of the final places.”

The result tops a great week for the department, after its best student journalists were rewarded at the first UCLan Media Awards.

Hundreds of students glammed-up for the Oscars style ceremony at the Students’ Union.

The awards recognised the talent and effort of the volunteers who worked for Pluto, the student newspaper, and Frequency, the student radio station.

Pluto editor, Mark Hudson, said: “The awards evening ended what has been a hugely successful year for our student-run media.

“While we rewarded people who had done exceptionally well, I hope that everyone who was at the ceremony is proud of what they have achieved.”

Frequency station manager, Emma Syer, said: “It was a wonderful way of showing our volunteers how vital they are to Frequency 1350 and I hope that it’s boosted our morale and encouraged people to return next year.”

Head of the journalism department, Mike Ward, said: “I was close enough to last summer’s preparations for the re-launch of Pluto and Frequency to know just how much blood, sweat and tears went into this.

“What has emerged is a great testament of their determination, talent and commitment.”