Regional publisher Trinity Mirror is to bring back its acclaimed training scheme five years after it was axed.

The scheme, responsible for producing such journalistic luminaries as Nick Davies and Alastair Campbell, was shut down by former chief executive Sly Bailey as part of a cost-cutting programme in 2008.

Now the company has announced it is to return in 2013, with three training places available.

As before, successful applicants will do a stint on one of Trinity’s regional titles before joining its national division.

The training will also involve an initial placement on the Press Association training course at Newcastle which was recently named the best in the country for the second year running.

Tony Johnston, the head of press association training, welcomed the news on Twitter this afternoon saying: “Delighted Mirror national trainees are heading back to Newcastle.”

A Trinity Mirror spokesman said: “I can confirm that the TM trainee scheme will be reintroduced next year.

“We aim to take on three trainees. Initial training will involve a place on the PA training course in Newcastle before placement in some of Trinity Mirror’s regional papers and, after this, a placement in TM’s national print and digital operation.”