Two recipients of Journalism Diversity Fund bursaries have overcome competition from more than 4,500 applicants to win BBC traineeships.

Just 14 places were up for grabs this year for the prestigious BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme with the new intake set to start in September.

One of the places went to 2012-13 JDF recipient Sophie Mei Lan Slack, who recently completed a PgDip in journalism at University of Salford

And a second went to 2013-14 recipient Megan Bramall, who studied journalism on a fast-track course at News Associates, Manchester.

The Journalism Diversity Fund was set up by the industry to support the training of journalists from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds.

As part of her training, Sophie will undertake a current affairs placement with BBC Online and Radio 4 File on Four before finishing off her year at The One Show.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it. I really didn’t think I had a chance and I knew I wanted it so much that I thought I wouldn’t get on.  This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I never thought the BBC was a place for someone like me – I used to listen to Radio Four and try to copy their accents but to no avail – so hopefully this year will give me the confidence I need to work there.”

Megan will also spend some time with BBC Online in London, and will then move to 5 Live and Breakfast TV, both of which are based in Salford.

She commented: “Even though I’d thought about what I might say if I were successful, when the time came I was speechless. I couldn’t think of anything to say to the person at the other end of the phone apart from thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Asked what advice she would give to future applicants, Megan said:  “My advice is just to be yourself – whether you’re from a diverse background, a privileged background or somewhere in-between.

“Don’t change who you are to adapt to what you presume the BBC are looking for because you’re probably wrong.”