A TEAM of hard-nosed journalists can be found lurking in the corridors of a primary school in Maldon as they hunt out the latest scoop.
Armed with notebooks and pencils, the pint-sized reporters are filling the pages of their new school paper with the latest happenings at the school in Wantz Chase.
Molly Lacey, 10, of Heybridge Basin, said: "I've always loved writing, my favourite type is writing poetry but I do really like writing reports so I was excited when we were told we were going to start a paper.
"There was only supposed to be six people taking part but because so many people wanted to be involved there's now more.
"We're interviewing children in the school and teachers. I get nervous before interviewing, but being on the paper has really helped my confidence.
"I agree," added ten-year-old Taniya Khalil, of Maldon.
"It's been helpful and fun.
"And I would quite like to be a reporter when I'm older."
The newspaper, which will print its first edition at the end of the month, is part of the school's 100th anniversary celebrations.
Molly added: "The school in the olden days used to have a newspaper and then a newsletter so we started it up again.
"Mr Kitchener oversees it but we all do the work, another girl is the editor-in-chief and she has a lot of work to do, she has to go through all the stories and sometimes has to stay in at break because she has so much work."
And, after the Chronicle imparted its words of wisdom, the pupils shared their journalistic advice.
Taniya said: "Writing a story is like a sandwich, you need bread, filling, bread and we also use PEE – point, explanation, evidence.
"That helps you write the story properly."
Teacher Jon Kitchener, who is leading the project, said: "The first deadline is October 25 and we're all are very excited.
"The group of children chosen to be editor, sub-editors and reporters are collecting all the latest school news stories to include in their reports."
