STUDENTS are hoping to make the news in a national competition designed to test their journalistic skills.

Twenty-four year ten pupils from Northallerton College took part in a newspaper day organised by the national Times Educational Supplement.

The teenagers took on the roles of everything from reporters, sub-editors and feature writers to photographers, horoscope writers and the editor to produce their own version of a newspaper, which had to be completed during the school day.

Judges are assessing their edition and the students are hoping to be among the best in the country and be invited to London for the prize-giving.

Teacher Sarah Donnor said: "They used the Internet and a digital camera to get the right mix of home news, foreign affairs and fun. Some found stories from within the college.

"They had just a school day to put it all together including laying out the pages and writing headlines. There was a real buzz about the place and I think the students got a lot out of the exercise."

Editor Laura Wooff, 15, of Kirkby Fleetham, said: "I liked the idea of pulling everything together, so I went for the editor's job. It was fine at first, but as the deadline approached it became a bit of a panic - we could have done with another hour or so.

"I think the final product looked good, pretty professional and we will just have to wait and see if it wins."

Chief sub-editor Shaun Lane, 14, of Northallerton, said: "I found it very stressful having everything thrown at me, but it was good fun."