Reporters on regional newspapers could gain experience in Parliament’s Press Gallery under a new project to increase diversity.

The Press Gallery Diversity Scheme aims to give journalists from black and ethnic minority backgrounds chance to boost their careers by spending time reporting from the House of Commons.

Under the scheme, reporters awarded places will become temporary members of the Press Gallery, typically for a three-month period, and will be issued with a full security pass, subject to vetting.

The initiative is being organised by journalists who work at the Press Gallery to increase the diversity of reporters there and is supported by the Serjeant at Arms, who is in charge of security and facilities at Westminster.

To qualify for a place, journalists must be staffers for an established media organisation and they would be expected to find and file stories for their employer while on the scheme.

They would gain advice from political journalists and the opportunity to meet MPs and other useful contacts.

The scheme is open to full-time reporters from a black and ethnic minority background and would particularly suit local government correspondents or other specialists.

Only three or four places will be available a year so there may be a waiting list and the deadline is 3 September for the placement starting in October.

For further information, visit pressgallery.org.uk