JUNIOR journalists penned their own newspaper to celebrate a year of activity at Fearns Community Sports College, in Stacksteads.

Eleven Year 9 pupils wrote stories, took photographs, and designed ‘Fearns Chat’.

The 16-page A4 newsletter featured a Skype interview between reporter Freya Millward and the newest member of reality TV programme Dragons’ Den, Piers Linney, a former Fearns pupil.

Fellow journalist Roxanne Nightingale spoke to Rossendale’s most recently-honoured MBE, former assistant head of the school, Brian Pickup.

Roxanne, who was also the paper’s star photographer, said: “I really enjoyed doing the paper. It was different to my normal week and was a good experience. I think the finished paper is really good, and something to be proud of.”

Rebecca Roach, literacy co-ordinator, said: “I didn’t think it would be possible to improve on last year’s paper, but these Year 9s have been so dedicated, enthusiastic, and determined, they just might have succeeded.

“I am incredibly proud of all of them and look forward to pupils, staff, parents and the wider community perusing a copy of Fearns Chat.”