BUDDING newshounds are to be given the chance to see their work in print, thanks to a pioneering news agency hot off the press in East Lancashire.

The Children's Express news bureau is run by teenagers for teenagers and aims to help schoolchildren get their work into the national press.

The agency is setting up a training weekend in Blackburn for children from schools in Blackburn and Darwen and is looking for people to join in.

Since 1997 Children's Express has worked on more than 200 news stories and had more than 125 articles published in the national press on subjects like eating disorders and safe internet access.

The scheme is a joint venture between the agency and Blackburn with Darwen Youth Service. The agency already has offices in London, Belfast and Sheffield.

Project worker Miriam Rathore said: "This is a very exciting project by children, for everyone. A lot of interest has been shown by secondary schools in the area and we are looking forward to working with the young people here and becoming as successful as the other bureaux."