A GROUP of budding newshounds at Sedgemoor Manor Junior School in Bridgwater have launched their own newspaper.

The first edition of the Sedgemoor Star is out now and features news, reviews, sports reports, games and puzzles and much more.

Not only do pupils research the stories, conduct interviews and write them up themselves, they also design and lay out the pages, and phone local businesses to secure advertising.

Nine-year-old Leah, who is part of the school news team, said: “We interviewed our librarian and asked her questions like, 'who is your favourite author', and 'what is your favourite book'.

“We have also written and called local businesses to persuade them to buy some advertising in the paper.”

Steve James, head teacher, said: “It is the first time we have ever done anything like this and it is going really well.

“The children finance the operation themselves; it is a very professional set up and we are very proud of their efforts.”

Mercury reporter David Hemming dropped into the school to give the aspiring hacks some tips ... and to take some away himself!

Meanwhile, the school has been rated satisfactory overall and good in some areas in its latest Ofsted report, which means it is steadily improving.

Mr James added: “We are pleased that the hard work of the staff and everyone involved in the school has been recognised and it shows we are on the right track, but there is a lot more hard work to do.”