NINE talented young people from across the region are heading to Edinburgh after they won an exclusive chance to meet television stars.

The 18 to 21-year-olds will spend five days at the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.

They won their places on this year's Television and Young People initiative by answering questions about their ideal job in television and what kind of new programme they would like to make.

The winners are Charlotte Kay, from Darlington, Abigail Chandler, from Gainford, County Durham, Hollie Clark, from Ponteland, Northumberland, Mimi Coiffait, from Morpeth, Northumberland, Alison Kalow, from Gates-head, Richard Lee, from Washington, Wearside, Elaine McMahon, from Sunderland, Kayleigh Nimmo, from Newcastle, and Melanie Brown, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside. On the opening night they will see Vernon Kay and Jayne Middlemiss.

The North-East delegates have been sponsored by screen agency Northern Film and Media, and will be among 150 people meeting the TV stars.

Miss Middlemiss said: "Well done to all the North-East delegates in getting a place, it is fantastic to see such emerging talent back at home.

"I started off in TV doing work experience after I wrote to everyone and offered to do unpaid work, making great tea and not taking no for an answer."