A COMMUNITY newsletter serving the Deepdale area is looking for local people to train as budding writers.

The Greater Deepdale Dialogue magazine informs residents in the Deepdale, Moor Park and St Mathew's areas of town on all aspects of regeneration in the area, thanks to a capital grant from the Single Regeneration Budget.

Producers of the magazine want local people to gather information on events and issues in their community, write interesting articles, suggest ways to improve the publication and to get involved in focus groups and other events.

The magazine, in conjunction with the University of Central Lancashire, North West Development Agency and the Greater Deepdale Partnership, is about to start running free short courses to help interested members train as unpaid community correspondents.

Each issue contains information on health, welfare, advice and community safety together with services for the local community to access.

Jhan Uddin, from the Greater Deepdale Dialogue, says the free courses will start in February at the University of Central Lancashire.

She said: "We are ideally looking for people to take control and to move the project forward. The courses will last about eight weeks, working out at two hours a week in the evening.

"We are looking for about five people to train as community journalists but we are hoping to get more.

"If you don't want to actually train as a community writer, we would still like to hear from you. We want to raise awareness of education and to target minority ethnic groups."

For more information on how to contribute to the newsletter, or train to be a community writer call Jhan on (01772) 892775.